Wasps announce plans to build new home stadium in Kent – but will play at Sixways temporarily

Former Premiership club Wasps have revealed their intention to return to professional rugby at a new indoor stadium in Kent.

A year after the club, which was previously based in West London, High Wycombe and Coventry, fell into administration and was removed from English rugby’s top flight, it released a statement saying it was “actively engaged with Sevenoaks District Council to identify a suitable location and ensure that the development meets both the needs of the club and the broader community”.

Wasps are yet to receive planning permission for the site, meaning that an imminent return to professional rugby would require a temporary home. The club confirmed that it was “actively exploring temporary facilities to underpin its operations in Kent”.

The club, which had £95m worth of debts before falling into administration, is owned by Chris Holland, who also owns the leasehold to Sixways, Worcester Warriors’ former stadium. Wasps would consider using the Worcestershire site as a temporary home.

Sevenoaks Council confirmed that the location of “the proposed stadium, training ground and hotel” is the Pedham Place area on the outskirts of Swanley, Kent - where the M25 meets the M20.

It is understood that Premiership Rugby has long identified the south-east county as a potentially untapped resource and a significant area for potential growth, as it would increase the geographical spread of the league’s clubs.

A Wasps spokesperson said: “The journey of Wasps has been one of passion, resilience, and commitment to the game. Our determination to secure a new, sustainable future for the club has never been stronger. By working with Sevenoaks District Council, we hope to build a long-lasting legacy that acknowledges our storied past and charts an ambitious future.”

Sevenoaks Council, in a statement of its own, added that the local public would be given the chance to “have their say and actively engage” in Wasps’ plan in the county.

“Wasps Rugby Football Club has put forward an early proposal for a new multi-use stadium, training ground and a hotel as part of our Local Plan ‘Call for sites’,” the statement read.

“The public and partners will all need to have their say on Wasps’ proposals before it could be considered for inclusion in the new Local Plan.

“Wasps’ proposals would also require planning permission, which again would give the public an opportunity to have their say and actively engage in the process.”