Leinster Rugby have this afternoon announced the details for their Season Tickets for next season and in doing so have confirmed that the Aviva Stadium will host the majority of home games, with Croke Park also available for additional fixtures as required.
As part of a wider announcement to Season Ticket Holders, the club has also confirmed that the RDS Arena will be available to Leinster Rugby for the start of the 2026/27 season with a capacity of over 20,000.
Season ticket prices will be increased across the majority of categories on average 3.9%, reflecting the increase in operational costs in the last 12 months. This is the first time an increase has been applied in six years. The cheaper entry point tickets for adults and juniors, introduced last season, will again be retained, with no increase to the junior ticket prices of €115.
“While the RDS Arena will be available to us again from August 2025, we would only be able to operate at a reduced capacity, below what we would need to accommodate our Season Ticket Holders,” said Matthew Dowling, Chief Commercial Officer at Leinster Rugby.
“On that basis, we have been working away in the background on different options.”
“We have gone from 12,248 Season Ticket Holders two seasons ago at the RDS Arena to now over 15,000 at the Aviva Stadium.”
“It’s important that we recognise that success, and what it does for the club as well as our ambitions with the RDS, but the focus has to be on getting as many of our supporters as possible to all of our games next year.”
“We don’t want to upset or disenfranchise any of our Season Ticket Holders, whether they are with us twelve years or with us twelve months, and we made the decision that we would rather a move back to a completed RDS Arena for all, rather than a move back for only some of our supporters.”
“Once again this year we engaged in the ‘Leinster Listener’, our online research piece, and have also spoken and worked closely with the OLSC supporters club to understand what has worked well.”
“As a result, we have increased the window for renewals to allow more time for supporters and we will again offer a cheaper entry level ticket for Season Ticket Holders, for adults, juniors and families.”
“We will also continue with the family of five option for renewals, and also the student ticket option, which were very well received.”
“We have been very proud of the way we have maintained our ticket prices for the majority of categories, over the last six or seven years. Unfortunately given operational cost increases over the last 12 months, it has come to a point where we have to look at increasing our ticket prices and that will be on average just under 4% across the board, but with no changes to junior prices.”
“Leinster Rugby is a not-for-profit organisation and all revenue raised is reinvested into our communities. It goes back into our clubs and schools, into supporting over 39,000 registered players across the 12 counties and into the foundation of our pathways, right the way up to the very top of the professional game.”
Dowling also addressed what a move back to the new RDS Arena would look like for current Season Ticket Holders and the excitement heading back to same for 2026/27.
“The redeveloped RDS Arena will have capacity for over 20,000 supporters on match day and we can’t wait to see what that new match day atmosphere looks and sounds like.”
“Season Ticket Holders that were with us before the move to the Aviva Stadium will always be our priority and we’ve engaged a world-renowned consultancy to support us in that return to the RDS, and we will also look after those that have joined us this current season and into next year.”
“For next year, where games warrant a look at a bigger capacity, we will be delighted to move those games to bigger stadia, when the situation and the availability allows.”
“We are very grateful to the RDS, the IRFU, the FAI, Aviva Stadium and indeed Croke Park and the GAA, for their help in managing our way through this and indeed next season.”
As well as confirming the stadia for next season and the pricing strategy, Leinster Rugby also confirmed that Season Tickets would once again include entry to all home Leinster Rugby Women’s games, as well as Leinster Rugby ‘A’ games in the newly established interprovincial series, during the regular season, excluding play-offs and finals.
The key dates for current Season Ticket Holders and for members of the public looking to purchase tickets were also confirmed by the club.
Supporters with a seat currently will have from Friday, 14 March 2025 until Friday, 4 April 2025 to renew. On Tuesday, 8 April 2025, an option to move seats from your current allocation at Aviva Stadium will also be available to current Season Ticket Holders.
After that time, the tickets will be made available to the waiting list on Thursday, 17 April 2025 and finally, from Wednesday, 23 April 2025, the remaining tickets will be made available to the general public.
“The season so far has been brilliant,” concluded Dowling.
“Off the pitch the Aviva and Croke Park have been welcoming hosts and we have an average attendance of over 37,000 at our home games.
“On the pitch Tania Rosser and her squad got the ball rolling with an interpro title and a record-breaking crowd at Energia Park. Leo Cullen and his squad have picked up from there and are unbeaten across both the BKT United Rugby Championship and the Investec Champions Cup.
“With the prospect of a new home stadium in the next 18 months and the anticipation of the move back, I think it’s a hugely exciting time for all our supporters and we look forward to sharing that journey with them.”
The renewal window for Leinster Rugby Season Tickets opens on 14 March 2025, while remaining tickets will be available to the public from 23 April 2025.
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
The growth in Season Ticket holder numbers is significant given the increased capacity in the new RDS. Six years is a long time to hold prices and while they will never be welcomed by certain sections, there are few other areas of life where prices stand still, and also no shareholder to extract money from the club.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
Leinster have a double visit to South Africa from next week with away games against the Bulls and the Sharks on March 22nd and 29th.
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