Bath to play at alternative ground as Rec redevelopment brought forward

Bath will play their final two home games of the 2026/27 Prem Rugby season away at an alternative venue as work begins on redeveloping the Rec. The club secured planning permission in September 2025 for a long-sought expansion of the venue to a capacity of 18,000. That uplift of 3,500 fans will see new East and West Stands built, with the target completion date for the project brought forward to the start of the 2028/29 season. The phased development is set to begin during this campaign, with the club forced to play their Prem games against Harlequins and Saracens in round 16 and round 18 to an alternate venue – which would also be expected to host a home play-off match should Bath finish in the top two. “We are in discussion with alternative host venues and we will update you once the location for these fixtures is confirmed,” said Tarquin McDonald, Bath’s chief executive. “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.” Bath have played on the Recreation Ground site since 1894. Johann van Graan’s side were beaten in the semi-finals of the Prem and Champions Cup last season.