The SSE Airtricity League of Ireland fixtures for next season are not published yet but yesterday we did get one game announced for the opening weekend and it is a special one.
Bohemians will meet Shamrock Rovers at the Aviva Stadium on the opening weekend.
What a great way to double down on the excitement of the closing stages of this season.
On the 110th anniversary of the first meeting of Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers, a fixture filled with history, the first Dublin Derby of the season will take place at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, 16 February 2025 at 14:00.
Bohemians have forgone home advantage for the exciting opportunity to showcase one of the biggest games in Irish football to an even larger audience at the Aviva Stadium.
Both Clubs have come together to collaborate on an historic occasion as the two Clubs will meet at the Aviva Stadium for the first time which is also a first for the League of Ireland as the ground hosts a regular league season fixture.
The game will kick off at 14:00 on Sunday, 16 February at the Aviva Stadium and tickets will be available in mid-December.
The full fixture list for the 2025 League of Ireland season will be revealed on 17 December.
“After a record-breaking season in 2024, we’re delighted to have a massive Dublin Derby between two of the oldest Clubs in the League on the opening weekend of the 2025 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division season in what will be a brilliant showcase of the best of League of Ireland in the Aviva Stadium,” said League of Ireland, Director, Mark Scanlon.
“We have been delighted to see the attendances and fanbases rise in the League in recent years and this game will be a perfect opportunity to show the thrill, buzz and drama of the League to an even bigger audience.”
“I want to thank both Clubs for their cooperation in making this event possible and we look forward to welcoming both fanbases and new supporters to the opening of the season for what’s set to be a historic day for the League.”
“After much work between the Club and the FAI it is brilliant to now announce this historic fixture,” added Daniel Lambert, Bohemian FC COO.
“To bring the Dublin Derby to the Aviva Stadium on the 110th anniversary of the Clubs first meeting, and on our first game of our clubs 135th anniversary is brilliant.”
“Football in the League of Ireland is in its strongest place in decades and this game will showcase our most famous game, in our county’s best stadium. I wish to thank the FAI for their positive reception and engagement to the concept, and to Shamrock Rovers, in particular John Martin, for their engagement over the past number of weeks. It promises to be a massive occasion and hopefully we can create the best atmosphere the Aviva has ever seen as we aim to have the biggest ever attendance at the Dublin Derby.”
“The opportunity for Rovers to bring such significant support to an away fixture against Bohemian FC was something we worked very hard on, and we are delighted this collaboration has come to fruition,” said John Martin, CEO of Shamrock Rovers.
“The game marks another positive step in the growth of the League of Ireland and showcases the clubs’ abilities to work together. We look forward to being part of such a historic occasion.”
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