Leinster Rugby has confirmed that they will play most of their home games at Aviva Stadium in the upcoming season due to refurbishment works at the RDS. Apart from Aviva, some of the matches will also take place at Croke Park and the Energia Park in Donnybrook will continue to host the women’s interpros.
Currently, their home URC match against Munster, a Champions Cup pool game and home European knockout games are played at the Aviva. But, with the RDS Arena probably out of commission next season, Leinster have planned to relocate the bulk of their home games – from the URC and Champions Cup – to Lansdowne Road.
Last week, Leinster filled the Irish national team’s usual venue for the European semi-final match with La Rochelle, and they sold 40,775 tickets for the Leicester Tigers game the week before. As the Aviva gears up to be the venue for this year’s Europa League final, Leinster is scheduled to play against Northampton Saints in the Champions Cup semi-final at Croke Park on May 4.
The GAA HQ previously entertained a world record crowd for club rugby when Leinster and Munster battled it out in the 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final. The specific games to be played at Croke Park next season are yet to be revealed. At this point, it is also uncertain whether any URC fixtures will be scheduled for the weekend when the Irish football team takes on England at the Aviva Stadium in the tournament.
Although the RDS is under construction, it is aimed to provide an enhanced experience for the fans once Leinster Rugby returns to it. Further, the province has confirmed no hike in season ticket prices for the 2024/25 season. Given the renovation project, season ticket holders might not be able to reclaim their old seats at RDS once Leinster returns. However, a priority purchase scheme will be introduced for next season’s holders when the matches are shifted back to their regular venue.