Bath Rugby is in "serious discussions" with Reading Football Club about potentially playing some of its matches at the SCL Stadium. The move is being considered to accommodate Bath's stadium redevelopment plans, which aim to be completed for the start of the 2028-29 Premiership campaign.
If an agreement is reached, some of Bath's scheduled games, including fixtures against Harlequins on May 15 and Saracens on June 5, could be moved. Should Bath reach the Premiership semi-finals and secure a home tie in June, that match would also be played away from their usual home ground, The Rec.
Reading owner Rob Couhig highlighted that upgrades to the SCL Stadium, including its stands and a newly laid pitch, make the arrangement feasible. "This pitch is built in a way that it could handle that and recover very quickly [from rugby]," Couhig stated. He emphasized that Reading's football team remains the priority tenant and assured that any rugby use would be managed appropriately. Couhig also noted that revenue generated from such an agreement could be reinvested into Reading's football team, potentially allowing for additional spending on players under the salary cost management protocol.
The SCL Stadium has prior experience hosting rugby, having been the home ground for London Irish between 2000 and 2020. Reading's final home game of the upcoming season is scheduled for May 1, but the club could host additional matches if they advance to the League One play-offs.