As the professional rugby union club – the Bath Rugby (UK) – begins a new season of rugby for 2026-2027, it also begins an exciting new phase of development for the Stadium for Bath.
‘BATH RUGBY’ stated that Bath Rugby secured planning permission in September 2025 following no objections from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage, Historic England (the official public body of the British Government that protects, champions and advises on England’s historic environment), the Environment Agency (protects and improves the environment in England, managing flood risks, regulating waste and controlling water pollution), Natural England (an official UK Government group. It works to protect and grow plants, animals, land, and water in England), Sport England (a public body in the UK. It works to help people in England stay active and play sports), and the Highways England (a Government-owned company in the United Kingdom. It is responsible for operating, maintaining and improving the motorways and the major A-roads across England).
The Bath Rugby is a professional rugby union club in Bath, Somerset, England (UK). They play in the Gallagher PREM, England’s top division of rugby.
The 14,509-seat Recreation Ground (commonly known as The Rec) is a large open space in the center of Bath, England (UK) next to the River Avon which is available to be used by permission from the Recreation Ground Trust for recreational purposes by the public at large but particularly the people of Bath and the surrounding areas. It serves as the home arena of the Bath Rugby.
The Stadium for Bath is an approved development project by the Bath Rugby to completely redevelop their historic home ground, the Recreation Ground (The Rec), into a modern, 18,000-capacity riverside stadium.
Design Phases
‘BATH RUGBY’ further stated that since then the project has moved into various design phases. The Bath Rugby Chief Executive, Tarquin McDonald, has issued an update to the supporters to outline a new and reduced timeline for the build process of the stadium with a completion date targeted for the start of the 2028-2029 seasons. This is an amendment to the originally approved timeline thus reducing the construction phase from 24 months to 18 months.
Timeline Change
The change in timeline will mean a change in the home venue for the Rounds 16 and 18 of the Gallagher PREM. Once confirmed, these details will be shared with the supporters.
Stadium Designs
The stadium designs – which were approved at the Planning Committee last year – set out a phased construction over three seasons whilst the Bath Rugby continue to play rugby at The Rec with the goal of maintaining home advantage for the team, the matchday rituals for their supporters and retaining all the wider economic benefits for the city.
Construction Impact
The top-flight club stated that it was acutely aware of the impact of the construction on the nearby residents and that shortening the duration of the construction work would help to mitigate this impact. This has been a focus for the project team over recent months.
Planning Amendment
The Bath Rugby has submitted a planning amendment which seeks approval for an accelerated construction phasing plan for the new stadium. This amendment will shorten the overall construction period to approximately 18 months with the aim to complete the new stadium and the home for the start of the 2028-2029 seasons.
Improved Timeline
The improved timeline will be achieved by commencing the construction of the new East Stand first where this was previously programmed to follow the construction of the West Stand. The overall design remains exactly as per the planning approval received last year.
‘On the Road’
To facilitate this improved timeline the Bath Rugby will need to create a slightly longer off-season in summer 2027 by taking the last two regular games of the 2026-2027 seasons ‘on the road’ to an alternate ground.
Home Fixtures
This means that the home fixtures against their peer teams Harlequin F.C. and Saracens F.C. in Rounds 16 and 18 of the Gallagher PREM will be played away from the Recreation Ground to facilitate the commencement of construction work on the stadium including the relocation of the pitch almost 25 meters into The Rec in time for the 2027-2028 seasons.
Home Away from Home
The club is in discussion with the alternative host venues and the same will be updated once the location for these fixtures is confirmed. The goal is to minimize disruption as far as possible and the Bath Rugby hopes that the supporters will join and help make these fixtures a proper home away from home.
This long-awaited project is transformational and will be fantastic for both the club and the city.
The key benefits of the new stadium design include:
- A purpose-built stadium befitting of the city with a high-quality design, materials and landscaping;
- Facilitating a range of sporting, leisure and cultural events;
- An enhanced riverside public realm;
- A wide range of economic, social and environmental benefits;
- A new Stadium Community Use Agreement and a Sports Development Officer;
- The enhanced travel plan including updated Park & Ride facilities, new cycle provision and signage;
- The enhanced Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) provision on the riverside;
- The provision of a changing places facility in the new North Stand;
- Public WiFi to be provided;
- The new service vehicle entrance to the North Parade thus reducing the vehicle movements to the residential area to the North of the stadium; and
- Ninety-six (96) percent natural grass pitch with a small number of reinforcement fibers which will be recycled at their end of life.
The application incorporates amends to reflect the valuable feedback from the public, the key stakeholders and the Bath and the North East Somerset Council (B&NES) to address the technical points identified since the initial submission. These include:
- A modern, fit-for-purpose venue with great supporter facilities;
- The significantly enhanced accessibility provisions;
- The contemporary and sensitive design;
- The increased community use;
- The regenerated riverside including the new Spring Gardens Walk;
- The retention of the mature trees as well as further landscaping and biodiversity measures;
- A host of sustainability measures designed to create a leading environmental operation; and
- A riverside café/restaurant under the management of Bath Rugby, a club shop and a museum for non-matchday use.
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