Bath Rugby has announced that the final two home matches of their 2026/27 Gallagher Premiership campaign will be relocated away from their historic home ground, The Recreation Ground (The Rec). This decision comes as part of an accelerated schedule to expedite the redevelopment of the club’s stadium, aiming to have the new facility ready for the start of the 2028/29 season.
The matches against Harlequins on the weekend of 15 May and Saracens on 5 June will be played at alternative venues, which have yet to be confirmed by the club. Whilst details about these locations remain pending, Bath’s chief executive Tarquin McDonald reassured supporters that discussions are ongoing to minimise disruption and create a welcoming atmosphere akin to a ‘home away from home’.
In an open letter to fans, McDonald acknowledged that if Bath qualifies for a home semi-final, as in recent seasons, that fixture too would likely need relocating.
READ MORE: Man Spends 24 Hours at Somerset Wetherspoons with Just Two Complaints
READ MORE: Bat Mitigation Concerns May Delay £19.7 Million Bridgwater Health Academy Project
The letter detailed progress on the stadium redevelopment, confirming that construction is on track to commence in 2027. The approved design involves phased construction over three seasons, intending to allow Bath Rugby to continue playing at The Rec during much of the development. However, in order to shorten the overall construction period from three years to approximately 18 months, an amendment has been submitted for approval to accelerate the build.
This streamlined schedule involves commencing work on the new East Stand first-initially planned to follow the West Stand’s construction-allowing the relocation of the pitch nearly 25 metres within The Rec. Consequently, the last two regular season games in 2026/27 are being taken “on the road” to facilitate early construction activity and extend the off-season in summer 2027.
The club emphasised that the overall stadium design remains unchanged, with an 18,000-seat capacity replacing the current temporary stands that have been a longstanding feature of The Rec. The ground has been Bath Rugby’s home for over 130 years, but the redevelopment aims to provide a permanent, modern facility enhancing both supporter experience and the wider economic benefits to the city.
McDonald expressed gratitude for fans’ understanding during this transition and reiterated the club’s commitment to keeping supporters informed as the project progresses. The final home fixture in the current stadium configuration will be the Premiership game against Newcastle Falcons on the weekend of 17 April 2027, a milestone the club intends to mark appropriately.
Fans unable to attend relocated matches due to the change in venue will be offered credit by the club to ensure fair treatment.
Overall, the accelerated redevelopment represents a significant and ambitious step forward for Bath Rugby and its long-term future at The Rec, balancing progress with respect for tradition and supporter loyalty.