Bradford Bulls to raffle off naming rights of Odsal stand

Bradford Bulls had a strong finish to the 2023 Championship campaign but couldn’t get over the line and back into Super League, falling short to Toulouse Olympique, and now under IMG the Bulls have a clear snagging point with their ground at Odsal.

The historic ground is sadly in a state of disarray and certainly not up to the standards that it should be, something the club have admitted themselves, and it’s seen them score poorly under the new preliminary grades from IMG. Of a possible three points the club scored just 0.78 for their stadium and facilities.

As such the Bulls have acknowledged that they need to make serious improvements if they’re to return to Super League and bring BullsMania back to Odsal.

Prior to any rebuilding though the club are offering a unique opportunity for fans and businesses ahead of the 2024 season as they are to hold a ‘naming rights raffle’. For £500 tickets can be purchased for the raffle with the prize being the naming rights for the Western terrace of Odsal for the 2024 campaign.

That’s something that the Bulls have announced today via their website, a statement reading: “Bradford Bulls are giving YOU the unique opportunity to put your name to the famous Western Terrace – for just £500!

“By purchasing a ticket, you go into a raffle to sponsor one of the most famous terraces in British Rugby League. There are just 25 tickets available on a first come, first serve basis.

“All production costs will be honoured by the Bradford Bulls. Unsuccessful ticket holders will be eligible to receive two hospitality tickets to a game of their choice*.”

The club have confirmed that all interested parties should email commercial@bradfordbulls.co.uk to enter, whilst specifying that the 24 sets of hospitality tickets for the unsuccessful ticket holders will be chosen in order of date of ticket purchase.

For local businesses or Bulls superfans it could be an excellent opportunity to help support the club, as well as being a unique way for the club to get engaged with their fans.

Previously the club have commented about their stadium and it’s poor condition, even going as far as to say that it is one of the key factors that separates them from being a Super League side. In reaction to the preliminary IMG grading in which the Bulls scored a Grade B and ranked 14th, they released a statement to their website.

It read: “Yesterday’s illustrative IMG Grading score ranks the club as 14th on the grading ladder, behind all the 2023 season Super League clubs, as well as Toulouse.

“That grading should leave no one in any doubt that the single biggest impediment to getting our club back to the Super League is the absence of an appropriate 21st century facility.

“Our relatively strong and strengthening scores in the other 4 Grading Pillars clearly demonstrate the progress the club has and continues to make in recent times.”

The statement went on to explain the process that the club had gone through in terms of discussions with the council and also referenced the development of stadiums for teams such as St Helens and Wigan, but ultimately they feel the stadium is their downfall.

“Now is the time for all who believe that a city of Bradford’s stature deserves a Super League club to come together, to develop the right facility,” the statement continued.

“To do so, would give the club the opportunity to secure a realistic, exciting and long coveted return to Super League, as early as 2025. That is said on the back of our much improved 2023 on field performance and yesterday’s gradings, that show we’re currently in touching distance of the top 12 graded clubs, which allows entry into Super League.

“If we all truly want a top flight professional Rugby League team in the City of Bradford, we can’t afford to miss this opportunity again!”