Bath Rugby’s Rec Redevelopment Approved as Capacity Set to Rise to 18,000

The redevelopment of Bath’s historic Recreation Ground has been described as another “big step” in the club’s journey by head of rugby Johann van Graan.

Plans to expand the ground to an 18,000-capacity stadium were confirmed last week after the secretary of state decided not to challenge the project. Bath and North East Somerset Council had already granted planning permission on 17 September.

Van Graan told BBC Radio Somerset that the move will mark a significant milestone in Bath’s long history. “Life is about change and adapting to it, and whenever the time comes that we play our first game there, I think it will be another big step in the history of Bath Rugby, a club founded in 1865,” he said.

Bath have played at the Rec for more than 130 years. The ground, nestled in the heart of the city beside the River Avon, currently holds around 14,500, much of it through temporary stands that are dismantled during the off-season.

Van Graan, who took charge in 2022 and guided Bath to their first Premiership title in 29 years last season, said the Rec had already provided special memories. “The last two years specifically have been amazing in terms of the noise we’ve gotten and the moments we’ve created. The Rec is a special place,” he said.

He added that the redevelopment would be “amazing” once complete but stressed the rugby remained his main focus.