Bath’s Rec rebuild approved to create an 18,000-capacity stadium with riverside hospitality and AR features

Bath Rugby has won approval to modernise The Recreation Ground, unveiling plans to lift capacity from 14,500 to 18,000 and to introduce a suite of high-tech and hospitality features while preserving the landmark’s intimate feel.

The project, which dates back to 2018 when Bath first submitted proposals, will replace wobbly scaffolding with permanent structures designed by architects who have worked on Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium and Wimbledon venues. The Rec’s riverside setting will be brought to life with a range of new amenities, including augmented reality tools and live statistics delivered directly to fans’ phones during matches. The club’s leadership describes the initiative as a careful blend of heritage and modern capability, aiming to keep the venue at the heart of Bath while embracing 21st‑century fan engagement.

Bath chief executive Tarquin McDonald said the intention is to place technology at the service of the match-day experience. He noted that smartphone access to data and video can complement the action on the field, while acknowledging that purists may prefer a purer sightline. “Everyone has access to smartphones now,” McDonald said. “Being able to access data, stats and video in-game is essential. If you look to the States, they have so much data and information during the game. Some purists just want to have their eyes on the action but the ability to access data is a real opportunity.” He added that the club intends to be “really smart” about how technology enhances the on-site experience without compromising The Rec’s identity.

The Rec rebuild is being designed in collaboration with stadium architects F3 and Kay Elliott, the latter known for heritage projects such as Blackpool Tower’s restoration. The club says it wants to retain the intimate atmosphere—the access to players, the sense of shared talk behind the posts—while introducing new drawcards. A tunnel club, enhanced hospitality tiers, and opportunities for guest chefs and partnerships with local restaurants are among the planned innovations. The riverside backdrop will be activated with a top-floor brasserie and a year-round, 365-days-a-year offering that extends beyond matchdays.

Bath’s plan also includes a pair of on-site screens in the fan experience app, one of which is retractable and positioned toward the Johnstone Street end. Officials say the supersized screen will be visible on game days without impacting the exterior appearance of the venue.

The club’s ambitions extend beyond the next match-day. Bath notes that the increased capacity and premium offerings will help diversify revenues while keeping ticketing accessible to loyal supporters. The Rec is already known for selling out despite high-ticket prices, and the rebuild is framed as a way to offer more options—ranging from general admission plus to high-end hospitality packages that provide behind-the-scenes access. A major theme of the project is to create a riverside destination that remains centred in Bath, with potential for a balanced mix of on-site experiences and off-field activities that engage the local community.

On the timeline, Bath says construction could begin in the not-too-distant future, but the club emphasizes that work will be phased to allow The Rec to remain in use and to minimize disruption for supporters. Local authorities have yet to grant full planning permission, pending government authorization, and there are no plans to relocate during development. The club also hopes to expand The Rec’s use beyond club fixtures, aiming to host international rugby matches and events such as the World Club Cup.

McDonald highlighted Bath’s desire to keep The Rec at the heart of the city, noting that the ground’s emotional connection to fans would be preserved even as the venue becomes a modern, tech-enabled hospitality hub. “We’ve got an amazing Women’s World Cup going on at the moment but it’s not possible for our ground to host pool stages and knockout games,” he said. “Our new stadium will be able to host international rugby.” He added that the project would invite supporters to participate in the journey, with the city-rich history of Bath guiding the redevelopment.

The Rec’s evolution follows Bath’s celebrated 2025 treble season, which saw the club win the Premiership title, the Premiership Cup, and the European Challenge Cup. Officials say the enhancements will complement a broader strategy to deliver faster service, cashless transactions, and better pacing on matchdays, while further elevating the stadium’s role as a community hub. The plan envisions a balance between preserving the stadium’s soul and embracing new technology to create an engaging, contemporary environment for players and fans alike.

With government and council sign-off still to come, Bath’s leadership asserts that the plan reflects The Rec’s unique place in the city’s fabric. The aim is not to outsize rivals but to be smarter about how technology, hospitality, and the riverside setting can work in concert to produce a destination that resonates beyond rugby matches. If realized, the project could redefine Bath’s rugby landscape and strengthen the club’s ties to the community that has long sustained it.