Bath reveal new rugby stadium could come online ahead of schedule

Bath Rugby have revealed plans to bring forward the completion of their long-awaited stadium redevelopment, with chief executive Tarquin McDonald confirming the club has submitted a planning amendment aimed at cutting the construction programme to around 18 months.

Writing in an open letter to supporters, McDonald said the club remains on course to begin construction in 2027 but believes the revised phasing could allow the new stadium to be ready for the start of the 2028/29 season.

“We remain on track to commence construction in 2027,” McDonald told supporters.

“Our stadium designs – which were approved at planning committee last year – set out a phased construction over three seasons whilst we continue to play rugby at The Rec, with the goal of maintaining home advantage for the team, matchday rituals for our supporters and retaining all the wider economic benefits for the city.”

However, Bath have explored ways to reduce disruption caused by the project.

“We are also acutely aware of the impact of construction on nearby residents, and that shortening the duration of construction work would help to mitigate this impact. This has been a focus for our project team over recent months,” he said.

“I am therefore delighted to confirm that we have 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 your new stadium and home for the start of the 2028/29 season, which is great news!”

According to McDonald, the accelerated schedule would be achieved by altering the sequence of the build.

“The improved timeline is achieved by commencing the construction of the new East Stand first, where this was previously programmed to follow construction of the West Stand. The overall design remains exactly as per the planning approval received last year.”

The revised timetable comes with consequences for Bath’s fixture schedule in the 2026/27 Gallagher PREM campaign.

“To facilitate this improved timeline, we will need to create a slightly longer off-season in summer 2027 by taking the last two regular games of the 2026/27 season ‘on the road’ to an alternate ground,” McDonald explained.

“This means that our home fixtures against Harlequins and Saracens in Rounds 16 and 18 of the Gallagher PREM will be played away from The Rec to facilitate the commencement of construction work on the stadium, including the relocation of the pitch almost 25 metres into The Rec in time for the 2027/28 season.”

Bath are yet to confirm where those fixtures will be played.

“We are in discussion with alternative host venues and we will update you once the location for these fixtures is confirmed,” said McDonald.

“Our goal is to minimise disruption as far as possible, and we hope that you will all join us and help make these fixtures a proper home away from home.”

The move means Bath’s Gallagher PREM meeting with Newcastle Red Bulls on the weekend of April 17, 2027 is expected to become the final match played in the current configuration of The Rec.

“This means that our Gallagher PREM fixture against Newcastle Red Bulls on the weekend of 17 April 2027 will be our last ever fixture in the current configuration of The Rec, and we will ensure we mark this milestone appropriately,” McDonald said.

The chief executive described the redevelopment as a landmark project for both club and city, adding: “This long-awaited project is transformational and will be fantastic for both the club and the city.”