Ospreys apply for St Helen's stadium planning permission

Ospreys used to play at St Helen's before their move to ground-share with the city's football team

Ospreys say they have made the official planning application submission for the redevelopment of St Helen's to Swansea Council.

The Welsh rugby regional team had already announced they would be moving from Swansea.com Stadium to the smaller St Helen's venue for the 2025-26 season.

Ospreys say the planning application is a "significant milestone" and comes at a time when they and Scarlets are involved with a dispute with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) about future funding.

"This is a vital step toward bringing our long-term vision to life," said Ospreys chief executive Lance Bradley.

"It reflects our belief not only in the transformation of St Helen's, but in the strength of our future, rooted in Swansea and powered by our supporters.

"This is about more than new stands or improved facilities. It's a statement of intent about who we are, where we belong, and where we're going.

"Our goal is a world-class home for elite rugby, community sport and shared experiences that inspire pride across the region."

Planning phases

Ospreys say the planning application for the 8,000 capacity is structured in two phases, with the aim of transforming St Helen's into a premier venue for both elite and grassroots rugby that involves Swansea University.

Phase one will see the installation of a 4G pitch, a cover over the existing terrace, three new stands, and a new fan zone. Phase two includes a "state-of-the-art training facility", including a gym and training barn.

Ospreys will not start next season in their new home because Swansea Cricket Club will continue to play at St Helen's until the end of their 2025 summer campaign before moving to a new ground in the city.

That means Ospreys' first home game at the new venue will take place a few months after the 2025-26 season has started and they will have to play any home matches between September and early December at alternative venues.

Ospreys hope to play its first home game at St Helen's sometime in December.

Uncertainty in Welsh game

The move comes with Ospreys and Scarlets at loggerheads with the WRU after the two professional sides did not sign the new Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA) by the imposed deadline of 8 May.

The WRU has since announced it will move away from a model of four evenly funded professional sides which will result in a new tiered funding system.

It is a move Ospreys and Scarlets have described as a U-turn that has "created more destabilising and debilitating uncertainty in our game".

The agreement has been signed by Dragons and also by Cardiff, who were last month taken over by the WRU after they temporarily went into administration.

The WRU insisted the new PRA offered a better deal for the regions but Ospreys and Scarlets said they had asked the governing body for assurances the takeover "will not disproportionally benefit Cardiff and disadvantage the independent clubs".

After Ospreys and Scarlets did not sign in May, the WRU says it has taken "the difficult but necessary decision" to issue the formal two-year notice to terminate the current PRA agreement, in particular, to proceed with its debt refinancing with its bank.

Reports have suggested the WRU intends to cut a team from its professional tier.

Welsh rugby's governing body has not publicly confirmed or denied whether this is part of its plans, stating it hopes a long-term resolution will be decided by September.