Bradford City stadium VR project aims to inspire other clubs
The team behind an innovative virtual reality (VR)-inspired project featuring Bradford City AFC supporters’ memories hope it will be replicated by other professional football clubs after it was showcased at the University of Bradford.
‘Stories from Valley Parade’, a digital copy of the University of Bradford Stadium, traditionally known as Valley Parade, created for people to explore through VR, was presented to a group of the club’s supporters in the University’s iGloo, a seven-metre 360-degree floor-to-ceiling immersive learning space.
Professor Chris Gaffney, Professor of Archaeological Science at the University of Bradford, said: “This project helps to strengthen ties between us [the University], the club and the city.
“We now have a process for creating models that are packed with supporters’ stories and we are now looking for ways to replicate what we have done elsewhere.”
Professor Gaffney added he wants to update the images from inside the stadium, including capturing the new seating in the Kop stand.
Professor Chris Gaffney, Professor of Archaeological Science at the University of Bradford, viewing the project’s presentation. Images credit: University of Bradford
Capturing emotions
Davide Longo, Bradford City AFC’s General Manager, said: “It’s great that the University is using modern technology to capture people’s stories in a fun way.
“Football is a very emotional sport, and this is a great way to capture it.”
The project was officially launched at the stadium with a family fun day in June 2025.
The winner of the launch day’s design a Bradford City shirt competition, Thomas Cooney, 13, received his prize of a home shirt signed by the men’s first-team squad inside the iGloo at the presentation event.
Lucie Lee Sykes, an interdisciplinary artist and researcher, who brought Bradford City fans’ stories to life through a dance performance. Images credit: University of Bradford
What is Stories from Valley Parade?
Participants in the ‘Stories from Valley Parade’ project were asked to answer questions about their experience of supporting Bradford City AFC, nicknamed the Bantams.
The questions include sharing memories of their first and most memorable Bantams match, how they started supporting the club, family members’ memories of following the Bantams, where they sit at the University of Bradford Stadium and what it means to be a Bradford City AFC supporter.
The survey included a question on how people and communities supported each other following the fire at the stadium on May 11, 1985, which claimed 56 lives and injured 258 others.
A host of artists brought fans’ stories to life, including Lucie Lee Sykes, an interdisciplinary artist and researcher; Morgan Archer, a filmmaker and writer; Samantha Walsh, a fashion and graphic designer, and Richard Dunbar, a podcast producer, who created a video featuring interviews of people’s memories of the 1985 fire and celebrating the club’s promotion to Sky Bet League One in May 2025.
From left, Professor Chris Gaffney, Bradford City AFC design a shirt competition winner, Thomas Cooney, and Davide Longo, Bradford City AFC General Manager. Images credit: University of Bradford
The project forms part of the University’s Bradford 2025 programme, celebrating the sense of pride, belonging and wellbeing that being a football fan brings to people in the city.
The University of Bradford signed a four-year sponsorship deal with Bradford City in 2022. This includes the University’s logo appearing on the back of the team’s home, away and alternative kits and Valley Parade being re-named as the University of Bradford Stadium.
The iGloo was one of the first installations to offer 360-degree immersivity with floor projection, creating an ultra-realistic experience. This was made possible by funding from the Arts & Humanities Research Council Capability for Collections Scheme (CapCo) via an award to Archaeology & Forensic Sciences linked to City of Culture, with support for installation through a joint business case between Digital Health & Social Care and Archaeology & Forensic Sciences.
The ‘Stories from Valley Parade’ project reflects the University of Bradford’s strategy by using innovation and collaboration to strengthen community connections. It combines cutting-edge technology with local heritage, supporting the University’s vision to drive social impact and celebrate diversity. By capturing fans’ memories and creating immersive experiences, the project promotes wellbeing, pride, and belonging, key elements of the University’s commitment to transforming lives and fostering partnerships that benefit the city and region.
Thomas Cooney’s, 13, winning entry for the Bradford City shirt design competition at June’s Stories from Valley Parade launch event. Images credit: University of Bradford
Different is what we do
UNIMAGINABLE – We’re shaping the future in ways people couldn’t have imagined
Inviting people to share their stories of supporting Bradford City AFC is one of the ways the University of Bradford is helping to shape the future of archaeology and heritage.
Other ways include working with refugee and mixed communities in Jordan to explore digital heritage, and protecting heritage for the future. Find out more on our website