Huddersfield Giants will stay at the ACCU Stadium for the 2026 Betfred Super League season after chairman Ken Davy confirmed the club could not complete a move to another venue in time.
The announcement was made at the Giants’ annual awards evening, bringing clarity after weeks of speculation about the team’s future home.
“The upcoming 2026 season will be our last at the ACCU, and in 2027, we will have a new home base,” Davy said.
“The purchase of The Shay has not been completed, and whilst I remain confident that it will be, the timeframe to get that stadium up to Super League standard for next season is quite simply impossible.”
The Shay, home to Championship club Halifax Panthers and football side Halifax Town, had been under discussion but presented challenges around capacity and scheduling.
Giants’ average attendances of around 5,500 would fill only a small part of the 24,000-seat ACCU, yet The Shay’s smaller size and fixture clashes were seen as limiting options.
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Instead, the Giants will continue based at their long-term Huddersfield home, although the club expects to play at least one home game away from the ACCU due to summer concerts and pitch re-seeding.
The decision to stay at the stadium could also affect the club’s next application for a Super League licence.
Ground facilities are a key part of the grading criteria, and while the ACCU provides top-tier amenities, the disparity between capacity and average attendance might impact the Giants’ score.
Having stability for 2026, however, helps the club avoid the disruption of a rushed move and gives time to plan a long-term solution.
Davy also reaffirmed the club’s preference for a new stadium on the Gasworks Street site in Huddersfield.
A petition in support of the development has now reached the threshold to be debated by Kirklees Council.
He said: “A new stadium, with its planned focus on sporting excellence, research and health and wellbeing for the community, has the potential to be a huge asset for the town.”
The decision offers stability after a disappointing season for Luke Robinson's side.
While results have been underwhelming, certainty over the 2026 campaign ensures the Giants will continue to play in the birthplace of rugby league as the club looks to rebuild on and off the field.
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