Hamilton are set to relocate to Broadwood and make plans to build a new stadium after rejecting a proposal to continue leasing New Douglas Park from the club’s former owner.
The news is a further blow to Accies fans after a points deduction put them on course for relegation to William Hill League One, subject to the club’s appeal to the Scottish Football Association.
They now face a 28-mile round trip to Cumbernauld for games next season.
🏟 We are pleased to confirm that we will continue to play home matches in Hamilton for the 2025/26 season. https://t.co/OEgccDdF0A
— Clyde FC (@ClydeFC) April 30, 2025
The development comes 24 hours after Clyde, former tenants at Broadwood, announced that they would continue playing at New Douglas Park next season.
Former Accies owner Colin McGowan last week issued a public offer to the club for a one-year rent-free use of the stadium as the two parties negotiate a purchase.
Reports last week claimed that the club owed £260,000 for using it in the two seasons since Seref Zengin’s takeover. McGowan is one of two directors of HAFC Stadium Limited.
However, Hamilton chairman Jock Brown has declared that they cannot accept the deal.
Brown wrote in a statement: “In the first instance the balance in respect of the funds accruing between the parties over the past 22 months is substantially in favour of the club, so any postponement of settlement of the appropriate balance is inappropriate. The club is not indebted to the owner.
“Second, the terms of the only new draft lease provided so far are unacceptable.
“Third, the club’s experience of being tenants over the past 22 months has been thoroughly unsatisfactory.
“It is correct that the club has been trying to purchase the company which owns the stadium (the seller’s preferred way of completing the transaction) over a period in excess of a year. The necessary funds are available.
“However, the seller has failed for a period of several months to produce the due diligence information routinely sought in a transaction of this kind and has made it clear that necessary warranties will not be forthcoming.
“In such circumstances any purchase would be irresponsible and has thus been rendered unachievable.”
The statement added: “Arrangements are now being made to relocate the club from the start of next season to Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld, with the long-term aim of building a new stadium in Hamilton. Discussions with South Lanarkshire Council have started in order to identify a suitable location.
“The board is now carefully considering several innovative options around fan engagement and season ticket support relating to the relocation.”
Accies previously played outside of Hamilton – at Firhill and Cliftonhill – for seven years after selling former ground Douglas Park to a supermarket. They moved into New Douglas Park, which is adjacent to their old home, in 2001.
Preparing to fight until the end 👊
— Hamilton Academical FC (@theacciesfc) April 30, 2025
Hamilton sit eight points behind Lanarkshire rivals Airdrie at the foot of the Championship after being hit with a 15-point deduction by the Scottish Professional Football League in April.
They were charged with a failure to notify the SPFL of defaults in wage payments, incorrect information on stadium ownership, downgrading of their SFA club licence and the late provision of their membership criteria submission for next season.
They are expected to hear the outcome of their appeal before their final league game at Falkirk on Friday night.
