Bath hope to fast-track their development of the Recreation Ground by playing their last two Gallagher Prem home games next season “on the road”.
Tarquin McDonald, Bath’s chief executive, has written to the club’s supporters to explain the move, which will switch their games against Harlequins and Saracens in round 16 and round 18 to an alternative ground.
“We are in discussion with alternative host venues and we will update you once the location for these fixtures is confirmed,” McDonald said. “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.”
It is understood that Reading’s Madejski Stadium is the most probable venue, given that Bath’s fixtures are against London-based sides Saracens and Harlequins.
Bath are optimistic of selling out the 24,000-capacity stadium for both fixtures, and it would also work as suitable venue if they qualified for the Prem play-offs with home advantage.
If Bath were to finish in the top two in the league and secure a home semi-final, it is understood that match is likely to be played at the same venue used for rounds 16 and 18, rather than a neutral stadium.
Bath’s plan to expand their ground by 3,500 fans to a capacity of 18,000 was approved last October after a long battle to secure permission.
McDonald said the change was necessary to enable work to begin earlier than planned on the redevelopment and shorten it by 18 months. The club are submitting a planning amendment to ensure work will be completed for the start of the 2028-29 season.
The new plan will result in the construction of the new East Stand beginning before the West Stand – a switch from the original plans.
“Our stadium designs – which were approved at the planning committee last year – set out a phased construction over three seasons while we continue to play rugby at the Rec, with the goal of maintaining home advantage for the team, match-day rituals for our supporters and retaining all the wider economic benefits for the city,” McDonald added.
“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.
“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.
“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 said season-ticket holders would be credited if they were unable to attend the new venues.
No Big Game for Gloucester
Meanwhile, Gloucester will not stage a repeat of their “Big Game” fixture against Leicester Tigers at Villa Park next season.
Gloucester’s decision to stage their Slater Cup fixture, which Leicester won 36-17, at the home of Aston Villa attracted a crowd of more than 24,000 last season.
However, Alex Brown, the Gloucester chief executive, has confirmed that the game next March will be held at Kingsholm, a decision influenced by the fact there will be ongoing stadium developments at Villa Park.
“The experience at Villa Park provided valuable learning and reinforced the opportunities that ‘Big Game’ fixtures can create in terms of growing our reach, attracting new audiences, and strengthening Gloucester Rugby’s position for the future,” Brown said.
“As we look ahead, our focus is on delivering the best possible match-day experience for our supporters at Kingsholm, while continuing to explore opportunities that support the long-term growth of the club, which may well include future Big Games.
“Returning the Slater Cup to Kingsholm next season reflects our immediate focus, while giving us time to consider future opportunities in the wider context of the game and the club’s priorities.”