AFC Wimbledon Arrange Temporary Groundshare With QPR At Their Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium
AFC Wimbledon will play their opening home matches of the 2020/21 season at Queens Park Rangers’ Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium in a temporary groundshare arrangement.
AFC Wimbledon's new Plough Lane stadium is due to be completed on October the 25th, requiring the League One club to find a interim home ground for the start of their new campaign, beginning imminently on September the 5th.
The Dons’ first game at the acting home ground of the Kiyan Prince Foundation stadium will be on September the 8th, against Charlton Athletic FC in the EFL trophy. A first home League One game against Plymouth Argyle F.C. follows on September the 19th.
The clubs have allowed for limited capacity crowds in their agreement, ready for when fans are allowed to return to live sporting events by the government.
"We're very grateful to QPR for giving us the opportunity to share their ground for the start of the season and also to the EFL for their understanding during this difficult period," said AFC Wimbledon Chief Executive Joe Palmer.
"The construction works are proceeding well, but with the uncertainty of the Covid situation, we wanted to give ourselves some more breathing space to complete the works and required test events before playing our first match at Plough Lane.
"It's going to be an incredible moment in the club's history and we wanted to make sure that we're further down the road than where we would have been for the start of the season, to ensure it matches the occasion."
The Championship side start their season at Plymouth Argyle F.C. in the League Cup on September the 5th, before they host Nottingham Forest a week later for their league opener.
"We have had a number of discussions with AFC Wimbledon in recent weeks regarding this option," said QPR Chief Executive Lee Hoos.
"It is an agreement which works for both parties. From their point of view, it gives them a fantastic playing surface to use while they finalise their move back to Plough Lane.
"From our perspective, it provides an additional revenue stream at a time when football is facing unprecedented challenges to its finances.”
In the great spirit of the game, he added "We look forward to hosting AFC Wimbledon and wish them every success in the coming campaign."
