Tolka Park will host a night of history and high stakes this evening as Shelbourne take on Linfield in a UEFA Champions League first qualifying round clash.
It is a tie that not only carries a guaranteed €2 million windfall but also marks the first-ever use of VAR at the north Dublin venue.
The match will be broadcast live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player; however, the second leg will be behind a paywall, as RTÉ was unwilling to meet Linfield’s price tag for coverage.
While still in the early qualifying rounds, progression in the UEFA Champions League offers a huge financial opportunity. Shamrock Rovers made €7.4 million from their European adventure last season, but even that would pale alongside a Champions League group stage spot.
The winner of this tie will move one step closer to that stage, with a second qualifying round still to navigate. But it is a possibility.
In a significant infrastructural milestone, VAR will be operational at Tolka Park for the first time. It is a requirement for UEFA competition at this level.
The implementation of VAR follows similar upgrades at Tallaght Stadium and is a testament to the significant evolution of facilities and standards in recent seasons.
Kick-off on Wednesday, July 10th, is at 7:45pm, with live coverage on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 7:30pm.
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