‘Game-changer’ for Leeds

A feasibility study has identified the city as the most suitable location in West Yorkshire for a proposed 5,000-capacity, c£50m indoor basketball arena.

The findings will be presented today to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Culture, Heritage and Sport Committee.

Entertainment and arena consultancy IPW led the study, examining the viability of a public-private partnership model that would reinvest profit shares into grassroots sports across West Yorkshire.

Cost projections for a 5,000-seat arena range between £48.1m and £56.9m.

While Leeds has emerged as the favoured location, offering the strongest prospects for franchise sustainability, ticket sales, and revenue, the consultants did not recommend a specific site.

The report stresses that all West Yorkshire local authorities are expected to express interest in hosting the arena due to the anticipated social and economic benefits.

Suitable sites will need around 110,000 sq ft of space, a catchment of 1.5m people within a 30-minute drive, and proximity to rail and motorway links.

Given the projected earnings would not cover the cost of the arena, extra funding sources would be required.

Two operational models were also assessed, with one accommodating ice hockey, basketball, and netball, and another focusing solely on basketball and netball.

Both are forecast to turn an annual profit by year three (£173,000 for the multi-sport version and £214,000 for the basketball-and-netball model).

However, the study notes that slim operating margins mean additional funding would be required to meet capital costs.

Projected EBITDA would not be sufficient to finance construction, with the report pointing to public sector contributions, potential franchise owner investment, and enabling development as likely sources.

The study was commissioned in summer 2024 after West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin approved an assessment of whether a new indoor venue capable of hosting professional basketball, netball, and ice hockey could be developed in the region.

The move followed a presentation by academic and basketball commentator Dr Mark Mills, who described such a facility as a potential ‘game-changer’ for West Yorkshire.

According to the report, an arena could provide a significant boost to basketball, where participation among under-16s now exceeds that of rugby and cricket combined but receives substantially less funding, as well as to netball and ice hockey.

Committee members will be asked to discuss potential next steps at today’s meeting.