Sports bar Ludo has extended its partnership with Bath Rugby just over a year after opening next to Bath Spa railway station.
It became the official sports bar for the Premiership Rugby club last September shortly after taking over the former Graze restaurant in Brunel Square.
Now the bar has extended the agreement for a further two years, meaning it will continue to show all the club’s games live on TNT and Premier Sports.
Bath Rugby season ticket holders and club members will also continue to receive a 20% discount on all food and beverages all day, every day.
The bar, which has 30-plus large HD screens showing a range of sports as well as a state-of-the-art sound system, opened as the first of a chain of premium sports bars under the Ludo Sports Bar & Kitchen brand operated by St Austell Brewery, which owns Bath Ales and Graze, and the directors of London-based bar and restaurant group ETM.
At the time the firms described the Ludo concept as “more than just your typical sports bar”, with the Bath outlet offering “high-quality dining, an impressive drinks menu and incredible views of the city from its two rooftop terraces”.
Ludo Sports Bar & Kitchen chief executive officer Ed Martin said: “We’re proud to be the official sports bar of Bath Rugby and are thrilled to continue our partnership for two more years.
“The support we’ve received from Bath Rugby fans over the last year has been outstanding, and we’re really looking forward to continuing to welcome members and supporters of the blue, black and white to our beautiful venue to watch every Bath Rugby game on our screens this season and next.”
Bath Rugby partnerships manager James Wiltshire added: “The incredible support from Ludo and Bath Rugby fans alongside a phenomenal season for the players has been nothing short of outstanding and we can’t wait to see that continue to grow over the next couple of years.
“Offering supporters a premium place to come together and enjoy pre and post-match celebrations, with Ludo situated in Southgate, the excitement of game day has extended from The Rec across the city.”
Bath Rugby kick off the 2024/25 season at The Rec on 20 September against Northampton Saints.
Ludo is also the official sports bar of Bath Racecourse, with permanent discounts for racecourse members off food and drinks extended to all racegoers on race days.
The Ludo brand is expected to be extended to other cities, with St Austell CEO Kevin Georgel telling Pub & Bar magazine this month that a further six could open over the next three to four years following what he called the huge success of the Bath site.
Last year Cornwall-based St Austell acquired The Bath Pub Co, adding The Marlborough Tavern, The Locksbrook Inn, The Moorfields and The Hare & Hounds to its 180-strong portfolio and bringing its number of pubs in Bath to eight.
St Austell took over Graze in 2016 through its 2016 acquisition of Bath Ales, a deal that also included its brewery in Warmley and a local distribution network along with city pubs The Hop Pole and The Salamander. It later it added The Swan and The Griffin.
