A new home for Bath Rugby and a new civic venue

We are seeking to create one of the most iconic grounds in the world to watch rugby, with enhanced accessibility making it open for all. The stadium will also be a civic venue, contributing to the city’s offer and creating jobs for local people.

Your matchday

We are lucky to play our rugby in the heart of Bath, one of the most iconic settings in the world of sport.

We want to create one of the most atmospheric and iconic stadiums in English rugby, whilst protecting all that is unique about our home, not least the intimacy of The Rec including the proximity to players, the pitch and the action.

1. Closeness to the pitch - Wherever you are watching the game, the seating bowl and run-off areas have been designed to keep you close to the action.
2. More legroom and wider seats - New wider, more comfortable seats with greater depth between each row will enhance spectator experience.
3. Uninterrupted sight lines - No matter where in the ground you are sitting or standing to watch the game, you will see all of the action due to enhanced rake, ‘C-values’ and sightlines as well as the cantilevered roof without the need for columns inside the seating bowl.
4. Big screen and enhanced matchday atmosphere - Two big screens in optimised locations and a bespoke sound system will ensure we can deliver all matchday replays in high definition along with clear matchday announcements.
5. Stay connected - You will enjoy high speed Wi-Fi connectivity at all times.
6. Accessibility - Over 100 accessible seats / spaces will be provided in designated wheelchair spectator areas with wheelchair positions and carer seats around the ground. Food and drink counters will be accessible across the stadium bowl with the provision of low-level counters. Significant improvements to the number of accessibility enhanced toilets including changing facilities throughout the stadium.
7. The basics - Greater choice of bars and food concessions enclosed within the new stands, significant improvement in toilet provision, much enhanced way-finding and circulation on concourses, new spaces in-ground to meet and dwell.
8. Hospitality – Significant new range of hospitality offerings including exclusive dining, tunnel club, season ticket plus lounge.

Everyone's non-matchday

The West Stand provides a civic venue outside of matchdays.

The club will operate a club shop and café, together with providing stadium tours and celebrating the club’s rich heritage. The mezzanine level will provide premium conference and event space, adding to the city’s offer. The top floor providing an iconic riverside restaurant, celebrating new views over historic Bath.

The infield pitch dimensions will be maintained to support exciting, attacking rugby. The in-goal run-off dimensions will adhere to World Rugby guidance, enabling international fixtures to be hosted including the Red Roses, bringing elite rugby to a much wider audience than Bath Rugby’s fanbase.

The new pitch will have a grass ‘hybrid’ surface comprising 95-97% grass and no rubber crumb which uses secure artificial fibres to fortify grass root strength. The approach will allow for up to three times the usage of 100% grass pitches.

This will support enhanced community use for schools and clubs with the intention that the pitch is used for up to 15 hours per week outside of elite sport.

The playing surface can also support Bath Rugby’s women’s team and other elite matches, and consideration will also be given to hosting a small number of non-sporting cultural music events each summer, perhaps in collaboration with Bath Festivals or Bath Recreation Limited.

The number of such event days making potential use of the pitch and stands would be limited to no more than six per annum.