Aviva Stadium is the national sports arena, where Ireland plays international rugby and soccer games. The structure has a futuristic design and stands in a picturesque area of fields and a canal. Experience the rhapsody and songs of the nation’s passionate fans in this stadium of 51,700 seats.
Arrive at the stadium for a game after booking tickets online. Admire the innovative design of the roof, undulating as it curves around the arena. Capture photos of the majestic stadium at night when it is illuminated in blue, white or yellows.
Go on a guided tour of the stadium for backstage access. It includes paths usually trodden only by Ireland’s athletic heroes and visiting teams. Enter the home team dressing room and imagine preparing for an important game. Walk through the players’ tunnel and picture the bustle on game day in the media center. The tour lasts for an hour.
Not only is the large stadium ideal for echoing the booming sound of the crowd, but it is also a hotspot for concerts. Attend a performance by one of the world’s most popular entertainers in a stadium that has already hosted Madonna, Lady Gaga and Rihanna.
Aviva Stadium opened in 2010 on the site of the Lansdowne Road Stadium which was established in 1872. It has hosted a momentous European soccer final and many international soccer and rugby games. The Irish associations of the two sports share ownership of the structure. Attend one of the occasional U.S. college football games held here. Guided tours are available several times daily year-round except game days.
The stadium is in Sandymount in the southeastern Dublin suburbs. Walk through the quaint village and visit its patisseries and cafés. Try the local favorite of fish and chips, with views of the Irish Sea.
From the Dublin city center, ride the DART train system for 15 minutes to reach Lansdowne Road Railway Station, which is located right at the stadium. You can also take a bus for the 1.5-mile (3-kilometer) journey. Adjust your schedule for heavy traffic on game days, when cars are not allowed near the stadium.
