The Kingspan Stadium at Ravenhill in Belfast has been awarded the right to host the 2015 Final of the Guinness Pro12.
Traditionally the hosting of the final has been a right of the highest ranked team to make it to the semi-finals but this new departure will allow time for a greater build up and an enhanced sense of the Final as a major event at the end of the domestic rugby season.
The game will take place at 6.30pm on Saturday, May 30th and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports as well as other free to air broadcasters depending on where the finalists are from.
Tickets will go on public sale on Tuesday 3rd February through Ticketmaster and Ulster Rugby and advertising of the Final will commence then as well, enhancing the status of the tournament as the European Rugby Champions’ Cup and the RBS 6 Nations would have taken all the traditional spotlight.
Festival
The Guinness PRO12 Final will be a festival of rugby throughout the whole city and will be supported by title sponsor Guinness.
“Belfast is an inspiring host city and the new Kingspan Stadium is a state-of-the-art venue for the Guinness PRO12 Final,”” said John Feehan, CEO of the Guinness Pro12 speaking at the announcement in Belfast.
“Given the development of the competition the time is right for a showcase event and we invited offers from all 12 clubs and their regions to host the Final.”
“The tender from ‘Team Belfast’ was outstanding and was unanimously agreed as the chosen venue. Belfast excelled itself as the host city for our PRO12 season launch in 2013 and their plans for the City in the lead up to and around the Final are very exciting.”
“Our competition is truly unique. 12 Clubs, 4 Unions, 1 Trophy – we are delighted to be able to work with our partners to promote the variety of fantastic international destinations that the Guinness PRO12 has to offer. We look forward to working with all our partners in staging a festival of rugby where fans from all four of our countries will enjoy a memorable Final and a great weekend in Belfast.”
“We are extremely pleased that our bid to host the Guinness PRO12 Final was successful,” added Ulster Rugby CEO Shane Logan.
Vibrant
“Belfast is a vibrant sporting city and through NI Executive funding, Kingspan Stadium is now a state-of-the-art rugby stadium, fit to stage a game of this magnitude.”
“While we hope that our province is in the final, we are fully committed to working with the PRO12 to ensure that regardless of who contests it, that this event is a huge success.”
Read More of our coverage of the commercial news around Ulster Rugby
With nine games remaining in the League only five points separate the top five teams with Ospreys and Glasgow Warriors leading the way ahead of Munster Rugby in third. Leinster and Ulster have both won eight games and are currently separated only by bonus points.
“The Kingspan Stadium in Ravenhill is a world-class venue and a fitting arena for major sporting occasions,” said NI Assembly Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín.
“While local fans hope Ulster make it to the final, we will welcome whichever Pro12 teams are vying for the trophy. As well as the players, we look forward to welcoming the travelling fans.”
Endorsement
“When the Executive, through DCAL, invested in the redevelopment of this stadium, we were confident that it would be a place capable of hosting the showpiece events. The decision to have the Pro12 final at the Kingspan is an endorsement of that. I commend everyone involved in bringing the final to Belfast, and look forward to a great game of rugby on May 30.”
Her colleague Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster focused on the sports tourism benefits that hosting a major final would bring to the city.
“The choice of Kingspan Stadium to host the PRO12 Final 2015 further enhances our reputation for hosting world-class sporting events.”
“Fans travelling to the final will be able to enjoy exceptional facilities whilst also experiencing the warm welcome for which Northern Ireland is renowned.”
“Such events are a boost to the growing sports tourism market here and also serve to provide the perfect platform as we look to persuade visitors to make Northern Ireland their destination of choice.”
“As Title Sponsor of the PRO12, Guinness has been fully behind and supportive of the decision to nominate Belfast as host, concluded Guinness Country Manager Jorge Lopes, “and we look forward to working with the events team and our partners in the trade to deliver a memorable event for rugby fans.”
Guinness, Ulster Rugby, and the Guinness PRO12 are all members of the Sport for Business community. Aer Lingus is our official partner in areas of Sports Tourism.
Image Credit: Inpho.ie
