Ospreys Rugby are pleased to confirm the initial programme of events that will bring St Helen’s back to life throughout October, culminating in the Ospreys’ first BKT United Rugby Championship fixtures at their new home.
Across the month, a mix of training sessions, community events, and competitive fixtures will see St Helen’s come to life at the heart of our community.
Gower College and Swansea University will open proceedings on Wednesday 7 October. Gower College take on Cardiff and Vale College, KO 2:30pm, before Swansea University face Bath University, KO 6:30pm.
Gower College return to face Ystalyfera on Wednesday 14 October, KO 2:30pm, while Swansea University will also be in action against Exeter University on Wednesday 21 October, KO 6:30pm.
Swansea RFC return home during a season which celebrates 150 years of rugby at St Helen’s, with three Super Rygbi Cymru fixtures across the opening month: against Ebbw Vale on Saturday 10 October, KO 2:30pm; Cardiff RFC on Thursday 15 October, KO 7:30pm; and Bridgend Ravens on Friday 30 October, KO 7:15pm.
Ospreys will complete the trio of competitive teams playing regularly at St Helen’s with their first home fixtures in the BKT United Rugby Championship against Dragons on Saturday 24 October, KO 7pm, and Cardiff Rugby on Saturday 31 October, KO 7:45pm.
A phased opening
As part of the opening of a newly redeveloped venue, St Helen’s will operate through a phased opening process as activity and attendance progressively increase ahead of the Ospreys’ first fixture.
The fixtures involving Swansea University and Swansea RFC will play an important role in that process, allowing a series of operational milestones and remaining venue approvals to be completed ahead of Ospreys v Dragons on 24 October.
A particularly important fixture will be Swansea RFC v Cardiff RFC on Thursday 15 October, which is planned to welcome the largest attendance at St Helen’s before the Ospreys’ opening night.
We’d encourage Ospreys supporters and the wider rugby community to get behind these early fixtures and play their part in bringing St Helen’s back to life.
Ospreys Managing Director (Business), Richard Lancaster, said:
“After an enormous amount of work across the club and with our partners, it is incredibly exciting to be able to set out the programme that will bring St Helen’s back to life.
“What makes this particularly special is that it isn’t simply about one Ospreys fixture. Throughout October we will see schools, colleges, universities, Swansea RFC, community programmes and the Ospreys all using St Helen’s.
“The phased opening means every event has an important role to play in preparing the venue for our first game against the Dragons, and we’d encourage our supporters to get behind the programme, particularly the fixtures leading into 24 October.”
Swansea RFC Managing Director, Keith Colclough said:
“Returning to St Helen’s during the season that marks 150 years since Swansea RFC first made the ground its home is hugely significant for everyone associated with the club.
“St Helen’s has been at the heart of Swansea rugby for generations, and we’re looking forward to seeing supporters back at the ground and being part of an exciting opening month alongside the Ospreys and the wider rugby community.”
Tickets
An initial allocation of tickets for Ospreys v Dragons will be released as part of the phased opening process, with demand expected to be extremely high. Tickets will go on sale from 10am on Tuesday 22 September.
As the opening programme progresses and the required operational milestones are completed, we hope to make further tickets available. Any additional allocations will be communicated through the Ospreys website, email and social media channels.
Tickets for Swansea RFC fixtures will also be available from Tuesday 22 September. Ticketing information for University fixtures will be confirmed separately.
More than matchdays
In addition to the fixtures above, Swansea School Boys, Gower College, Swansea University, Swansea RFC and Ospreys will all train regularly at St Helen’s from October onwards.
Swansea School Boys will also play competitive Dewar Shield fixtures at St Helen’s on Friday 9 October and Friday 16 October.
Ospreys in the Community will mark the opening of St Helen’s with a range of events. Swansea Gladiators will take on Port Talbot Panthers in a mixed-ability rugby friendly, whilst girls’ rugby and walking rugby will both be represented through festival events.
The first St Helen’s edition of OitC’s DEFENDER Rugby Camps will also take place during the October half-term, while Sporting Memories will return to its home in the heart of the St Helen’s clubhouse.
The pitch, clubhouse and hospitality facilities at St Helen’s will be available for community and commercial bookings, with further information on how to book spaces at the venue to be announced shortly.
Ospreys 2026/27 Season Members will be invited to an event to collect their membership packs on Friday 16 October, with further details to be shared directly via email later today.
Founders Club members will also be invited to join us on Tuesday 20 October, with further details to be shared directly via email later today.
Following the recent update regarding the terrace roof, which will not be delivered as part of Phase 1, we are continuing to develop further fan engagement, entertainment and activities before, during and after games to enhance the supporter experience across St Helen’s.
Get behind the opening
Every fixture and event throughout October will play its part in bringing St Helen’s back to life.
We’re asking Ospreys supporters and the wider region to get behind the opening programme, support the teams taking to the St Helen’s pitch, and help us build towards an unforgettable opening night against the Dragons on 24 October.
Full Schedule of Events
Gower College vs Cardiff and Vale College | Wednesday 7 October | Kick Off 2:30pm
Swansea University vs Bath University | Wednesday 7 October | Kick Off 6:30pm
Dewar Shield: Swansea Black vs Swansea White | Friday 9 October | Kick Off TBC
Swansea RFC vs Ebbw Vale | Saturday 10 October | Kick Off 2:30pm
Swansea Gladiators vs Port Talbot Panthers | Sunday 11 October | Closed Event
Gower College vs Ystalyfera | Wednesday 14 October | Kick Off 2:30pm
Swansea RFC vs Cardiff RFC | Thursday 15 October | Kick Off 7:30pm
OitC Girls Rugby Festival | Friday 16 October | Closed Event
Ospreys Season Members Event | Friday 16 October | from 4:30pm | Closed Event
Dewar Shield: Swansea Black vs Bridgend and Swansea White vs Pembs | Friday 16 October | Kick Off 6:30pm
Sporting Memories | Tuesday 20 October | 1:30pm–3:30pm
Ospreys Founders Club Event | Tuesday 20 October | from 3:45pm | Closed Event
Swansea University vs Exeter University | Wednesday 21 October | Kick Off 6:30pm
Ospreys vs Dragons | Saturday 24 October | Kick Off 7pm
OitC Walking Rugby Festival | Sunday 25 October | SIGN UP HERE
OitC DEFENDER Rugby Camps | Monday 26 - Friday 30 October | SIGN UP HERE
Swansea RFC vs Bridgend Ravens | Friday 30 October | Kick Off 7:15pm
Ospreys vs Cardiff Rugby | Saturday 31 October | Kick Off 7:45pm