Swansea Council Approves Redevelopment of Ospreys Stadium

Plans to redevelop the historic St Helen’s ground in Swansea have been unanimously approved by the city council, paving the way for Ospreys Rugby to relocate there for the 2025–26 season.

The move marks a significant shift for the professional side, who are set to leave the Swansea.com Stadium in favour of the smaller, seafront venue amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the structure of Welsh professional rugby.

Ospreys chief executive Lance Bradley welcomed the approval, calling the project “a vital step in securing the long-term future of professional rugby in Swansea”. He acknowledged the wider challenges facing the sport in Wales, as the Welsh Rugby Union continues to consider a major restructuring that could reduce the number of professional regional teams.

The redevelopment plans will be delivered in two phases. Phase one will see the installation of a new 3G pitch, an upgraded fan zone, and new stands with capacity for up to 8,000 supporters. Phase two will follow with a purpose-built training facility and gym.

The project has not been without opposition. A group of politicians from neighbouring Scarlets territory raised formal objections, claiming the move “impacts on the existing sports infrastructure” in the region. However, those concerns did not sway Swansea council's planning committee, who gave the green light at a meeting on Tuesday.

The decision represents a major milestone for Ospreys, who are set to begin their new chapter at St Helen’s in time for the 2025–26 campaign.