Featured image credit: Leinster Rugby
Leinster Rugby will continue to play at the RDS Arena for the next 25 years after a new agreement was signed with the Royal Dublin Society, which owns the stadium.
Leinster first played at the stadium in September 2005 and signed its first lease deal with the RDS two years later. The new deal secures the United Rugby Championship team’s long-term future at the stadium, which has a capacity of 18,500.
The RDS Arena has hosted the majority of Leinster’s home matches since 2007 and has also staged the Leinster Rugby Schools Senior Cup Final each year. The stadium also hosted the Pro14 final in 2021, the Pro12 final in 2014 and 2013, and the Challenge Cup final in 2013.
Prior to moving to the RDS Arena, Leinster played matches at Donnybrook Stadium. The club currently plays some high-profile matches at the larger Aviva Stadium.
Leinster Rugby chief executive Mick Dawson said: “The decision to move to the RDS Arena in 2007 is one of the best decisions Leinster Rugby ever made. We had a brilliant home down in Donnybrook but for us to grow as a club, as an organisation, we needed a bigger ground and better facilities and that is what we got with the RDS Arena.
“It’s not just about the ground though, as the RDS, as an organisation, have been a brilliant partner over the last 15 years and I am delighted that we have agreed new terms that provide clarity and certainty for Leinster Rugby supporters and for the club for the years ahead.”
Dawson added: “It’s a hugely exciting time on and off the pitch and I am confident that in early 2023, we will be able to provide a further update, together with the RDS, on the next stage of our plans for the RDS Arena.
“Today is about securing the future, first and foremost, and I am very grateful to Geraldine Ruane (RDS chief executive), and the RDS Executive, for their help in getting this finalised.”
Ruane said: “Our relationship with Leinster Rugby really is a true partnership which has grown from strength to strength over the last 15 years and it is great that today we are announcing a further deepening of our partnership for the next 25 years.
“Leinster Rugby fans have truly embraced the RDS as their home and we are always looking at ways to enhance the fans’ experience and the new fan zone, The Laighin Den, is another great example of our partnership.”
Share this