Leinster to play their home games next season at the Aviva Stadium and Croke Park
Leinster and La Rochelle players run out before the Champions Cup quarter-final at the Aviva Stadium last weekend. Photo: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Leinster will play the majority of their home games next season at the Aviva Stadium while the RDS is being redeveloped, while Croke Park will remain available to the province for bigger games.
The Champions Cup semi-finalists, who have invested heavily in their squad by adding Jordie Barrett and RG Snyman for the season, have added a new introductory rate for new season ticket holders, a family season ticket and a student season ticket in the hope of increasing numbers for the campaign.
As it stands, Leinster have 12,800 season ticket holders.
Leinster also have approval to play games at Kilkenny’s Nowlan Park, but it appears unlikely they’ll move any competitive games out of Dublin.
They will play their Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton Saints at Croke Park, while the later stages of the URC play-offs will also take place at the home of the GAA if Leinster progress to that stage.
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“This a hugely exciting update for everyone associated with Leinster Rugby and we look forward to supporting the RDS in its ambition to regenerate,” Leinster chief executive Shane Nolan said.
“We are very fortunate to be able to relocate to Aviva Stadium, a stadium that we are very familiar with as an organisation and as a supporter base, and where we have enjoyed many brilliant days together. Last Saturday’s win was another one to add to a long list of great days.
“I’d like to put on record my appreciation and indeed the Leinster Rugby Branch’s appreciation to the Boards of the RDS, the IRFU, the FAI and the Aviva Stadium for all their help in facilitating this move and indeed to the GAA for their help in securing Croke Park for a number of games next season.
“It will be a season like no other, of that there will be no doubt, and while we acknowledge that there will be some inconvenience in any stadium move, we are also very excited to bring a full season of Leinster Rugby matches to venues of the quality of the Aviva Stadium and Croke Park, two of the finest stadia in Europe.
“We very much appreciate in advance the ongoing support of our Season Ticket Holders as we navigate the road ahead during the RDS regeneration and we look forward to an exciting chapter for Leinster Rugby at the Aviva Stadium, and in time, a return to an even better RDS Arena.”
The RDS is rebuilding the Anglesea Stand as part of a €50m redevelopment, with construction expected to start later this year.
