Bath Rugby has unveiled detailed plans for a major redevelopment of The Rec, their home ground for over 130 years, including the introduction of a new stadium name through a sponsorship deal. The current venue relies heavily on temporary stands, which are dismantled each off-season, limiting capacity and modern amenities.
The redevelopment will replace temporary seating with a permanent 18,000-seat stadium, designed to be constructed over three years. Importantly, Bath Rugby will continue to play at The Rec throughout the phased construction process, with work slated to begin in the summer of 2027.
Chief Executive Tarquin McDonald shared insights into the project timeline and funding strategy, emphasizing collaboration with the Bath & North East Somerset Council to finalize planning permissions, including addressing issues like noise management. Once approved, the club will focus on securing financing, with naming rights sponsorship playing a key role. McDonald highlighted the unique appeal of the stadium’s location in a city recognized as a double UNESCO World Heritage site attracting six million visitors annually.
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“The naming rights opportunity will attract partners whose values align with our club’s ethos and the character of Bath,” McDonald explained. The next phase will also involve extensive detailed design work to build upon the initial plans approved by the council, ensuring an iconic facility both in aesthetics and structure.
McDonald praised the unwavering support of Bath Rugby’s fans during recent challenging weather conditions and reiterated the club’s commitment to delivering “an incredible stadium” that benefits both players and the wider community year-round.
The new stadium is also intended to support the launch of Bath Rugby’s professional women’s team and would have served as a venue for the Women’s Rugby World Cup matches. To date, the project has involved thousands of hours of consultation, reflecting ongoing community engagement and design refinement.
At the planning committee meeting, the strong presence of Bath Rugby supporters and former England international Jeremy Guscott underscored local enthusiasm for the redevelopment. Bath Rugby currently leads the Gallagher Premiership, reinforcing their position as a top-flight team while preparing for this transformative phase.