YORK City Knights' trip to Bradford Bulls at Odsal will go ahead as planned despite the ground not meeting Rugby Football League (RFL) regulations.

The RFL have granted Bradford special dispensation to play on the pitch even though its current width falls short of the minimum standards.

The governing body allow pitches to be a minimum of 55 metres and 92 metres long, however the Odsal pitch is now reportedly only 51 metres wide.

This shortening of the pitch is due to the stadium being able to make room for stock-car racing, which has returned to Odsal after a 24-year absence.

Despite this, the RFL have allowed Bradford to use the current pitch to host matches in the Betfred Championship against York, which takes place on Sunday (3pm), and Newcastle Thunder on June 6.

It is understood that several other Championship clubs have been given some form of special dispensation on pitch issues this season.

Bradford announced earlier this week that they would be returning to the club's famous home for the first time since their move to Dewsbury Rams' Tetley's Stadium.

The crowd has been limited to 4,000 for the game against York and the game is expected to sell-out.

York against Bradford has developed into one of rugby league's most interesting rivalries over recent seasons, most prominently when the two clubs fought it out for the League One title in 2018, the Knights coming out on top.

York have won on their last two visits to Odsal, beating the Bulls 30-28 in July 2018 and winning 24-14 in February 2019.