Plans to redevelop a Welsh rugby team’s seafront stadium have been officially approved.

In July 2024, Ospreys announced they would move from the Swansea.com Stadium to the smaller, historic St Helen’s ground for the 2025–26 season.

It comes amid wider uncertainty in Welsh rugby, as the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) considers restructuring that could reduce the number of professional teams.

Ospreys chief executive Lance Bradley acknowledged the challenging backdrop but said the move to St Helen’s would be “significant in ensuring the future of professional rugby” in Swansea.

At a meeting on Tuesday, Swansea council’s planning committee members voted unanimously in favour of the redevelopment plans for St Helen’s – which will be delivered in two phases.

Phase one includes a new 3G pitch, fan zone, and stands to accommodate up to 8,000 spectators.

Phase two will add a training facility and gym.

The St Helen’s Ground has been the historic home of rugby in Swansea since the 1880s.

However, when rugby turned professional in 2003, Swansea RFC merged with Neath RFC to form the Ospreys.

Although the team initially played at St Helen’s, they relocated to the Swansea.com Stadium in 2005, sharing with the city’s football club.

Having now left that venue, the Ospreys plan to begin redevelopment in September 2025, once Swansea Cricket Club’s season concludes.

Under an agreement with the council, the cricket club will relocate to a new ground.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Bradley described St Helen’s as an “incredibly iconic ground” and said the Ospreys aimed to become a “hub for the community”, not just an elite rugby club in the city.

He called the decision an “incredibly exciting moment” and a “vital step” for the future of the team and rugby in the region.

Ospreys fan Ffion Thomas, who used to visit St Helen’s as a child, said the planning approval was an “exciting” milestone.

She said she hoped the team would be able to fill smaller stadium but was a “little” worried about traffic.

Laura Fry, assistant manager of Hoogah cafe and bar in Brynmill, said she was “really excited” as it was a “massive boost for the area”, especially for independent businesses.