Key Facts And Figures About Aviva Stadium

Aviva Stadium, located at 62 Lansdowne Road in Dublin Ireland, is a premier sports venue with rich history filled in a modern stadium. Edmond Van Esbeck once said ‘ A stadium for all our futures on site from all our pasts’ which encompasses the 146 plus years of Irish Sporting History the Aviva Stadium holds.

It is home to both the Irish rugby and soccer national teams. The site has been a cornerstone of Irish sports since the original Lansdowne Road Stadium opened in 1872 thanks to the efforts of the outstanding sportsman, Henry Wallace Dunlop. After its demolition in 2007, construction of the new stadium began and official opened its doors again on May 14 2010 – the redevelopment was a joint venture of the Irish Rugby and Football Union (IRFU) and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).

Lansdowne Road was named in tribute to the third Marquess of Lansdowne, who lived from 1786-1863

As the first international sporting venue in the world, this renowned stadium nestled beside the Dodder is closely linked to Irish and world history.

It was in 1876, when the first interprovincial rugby game was hosted and gave way for a friendly rivalry which span for decades between the Leinster and Ulster teams. 

What is the Capacity of Aviva Stadium?

Aviva stadium boasts a seating capacity short of 52,000 for rugby and football matches, with configurations 49,000 seats are available for American football and up to 65,000 for concerts.

History and alternative uses

Beyond hosting rugby and football matches, Aviva Stadium serves as a versatile venue for various events. Throughout its history, the stadium has obtained some incredibly exotic overseas visitors to perform for the Irish people.

• In 1876, two Canadian and American lacrosse teams travelled across the Atlantic for a tour of Britain and Ireland making sure to give Lansdowne Road a taste of the famous sport.
• By 1884, a whole new set of different sports was introduced. Since then, the stadium has seen all kinds of events and acts such as, an equestrian show by the Russian Cossacks in 1925 to the famous voices of Michael Jackson, U2 and Lady Gaga in its last few years. It has even played host to famous American baseball and football teams.  Canadian lacrosse team, European competitors, Belfast, Ireland, 1883. (McCord Museum). It has even held large conferences, exhibitions and corporate meetings

Upcoming Events

The stadiums 2025/26 calendar includes:

• British & Irish Lions vs Argentina – 1888 Cup: June 20th 2025
• Dua Lipa – Radical Optimism Tour: June 27th 2025
• Lana Del Ray in concert: June 27th 2025
• Kansas State vs Iowa State – Aer Lingus College Football Classic: August 23rd 2025
• UEFA World Cup Qualifier – Republic of Ireland v Hungary: September 6th 2025
• UEFA World Cup Qualifier – Republic of Ireland v Armenia: October 14th 2025
• UEFA World Cup Qualifier – Republic of Ireland v Portugal: November 13th 2025
• 2026 Guinness Six Nations- Ireland v Italy: February 14th 2026
• 2026 Guinness Six Nations- Ireland v Wales: March 6th 2026
• 2026 Guinness Six Nations- Ireland v Scotland: March 14th 2026
• Metallica | M72 World Tour: June 19th & 21st 2026

Fun facts

• UEFA Elite Stadium – Aviva Stadium is Irelands first and only UEFA Category 4 Stadium, the highest class for football venues in Europe
• In February 2025, the stadium hosted the largest- ever attendance at a league of Irelands Premier Division Game, with over 33,000 fans witness Bohemians 1-0 victory against Shamrock rovers.

Aviva Stadium stands as a symbol of Irelands sporting heritage and events. It wows all visitors with its stunning architecture, advanced engineering and world-class sustainability. But most importantly the atmosphere generated inside the Aviva has kept the Lansdowne Roar alive.