RDS Arena

RDS Arenais a multi-purpose sports stadium, owned by theRoyal Dublin Society(RDS) and located in theDublinsuburb ofBallsbridge,Ireland.

RDS Arena

Staid an Chumainn Ríoga Bhaile Átha Cliath
Royal Dublin Society Arena
Royal Dublin Society Arena: the2013 Pro12 Grand Final
RDS Arena Location within Dublin
Location	Ballsbridge,Dublin,Ireland
Coordinates	53°19′32″N6°13′46″W
Public transit	DART:Sandymount Station Dublin Bus Routes:4, 7, 7a, 7n, 18, 27x Aircoach Route:702 (Dublin AirporttoGreystones/Bray) Luas:Beechwood (Green Line;2.3 km walk)
Owner	Royal Dublin Society
Capacity	18,500 (16,500 seated)
Record attendance	22,000 (38,000 for a concert)
Surface	Grass
Construction
Opened	1868
Renovated	2007–09
Expanded	2007
Tenants
Shamrock Rovers F.C.(1990–1996) Leinster Rugby(2005–present)

The arena was developed to host equestrian events, primarily the annualDublin Horse Show,which was first held there in 1881. The site had been acquired in 1879 by theRDS.The primary tenants of the RDS Arena areLeinster Rugbywho compete in theUnited Rugby ChampionshipandChampions Cup.The arena has also hosted soccer and wrestling events and concerts. It has a capacity of 18,500, 16,500 of which is seated.

The demountable north and south stands are removed for equestrian events, with only the Grandstand and Anglesea Stand permanent. The Anglesea Stand was completed in 1927.

History

The Grandstand was rebuilt in 2006 for the 2006–07 rugby season, to replace the old wooden stand when Leinster first became permanent tenants. A roof was added during 2008–09. There are plans to redevelop the Arena, replacing the Anglesea Stand with another new permanent stand, which would incorporate the only terraced area of the stadium.

In July 2014, it was announced by the RDS and Leinster Rugby that a design competition was being held to develop the arena into a 25,000 capacity world class stadium, with work expected to commence on the redevelopment in April 2016.The selling of naming rights to the arena will be a key component in funding the project, with a budget of at least €20,000,000 being proposed.A consortium of architect firms, Dublin-based Newenham Mulligan Architects and London-based Grimshaw Architects, won the international design competition for the multimillion-euro redevelopment of the RDS Arena.

Sporting events

Association Football

The Stadium first hosted a football match on 30 September 1990 whenShamrock Roversused it as a home ground. For the next six seasons until April 1996 Rovers played their home games there.The Stadium held its first international match on 19 February 1992 when it played host to a home game betweenIrelandandWales national football team.The stadium hosted some games of the1994 UEFA European Under-16 Football Championshipsincluding the third-place playoff and the final. The final of theFAI Cupwas held at the RDS in 2007 and 2008 during the construction of theAviva Stadium.The 2009 final, however, was moved toTallaght Stadium.The RDS hosted a game betweenSt Patrick's AthleticandHertha Berlinin the2008–09 UEFA Cupfirst round.St Patrick's Athletic also playedSteaua Bucureștiin the Arena on 27 August 2009 in theEuropa League.The RDS Arena hosted theIrelandteam when they playedParaguayandAlgeriain May 2010.

Ireland International Football Matches
Date	Home	Score	Opponent	Competition	Attendance
19 February 1992	Republic of Ireland	0–1	Wales	Friendly	15,100
25 May 2010	Republic of Ireland	2–1	Paraguay	Friendly	16,722
28 May 2010	Republic of Ireland	3–0	Algeria	Friendly	16,800

RDS arena entrance

Show Jumping

The Arena was originally constructed to host show-jumping events, theDublin Horse Showhaving been held by the RDS annually since 1864.In 1881 the Show moved to 'Ball's Bridge', a greenfield site. The first continuous 'leaping' course was introduced at the Show.In the same year the first viewing stand was erected on the site of the present Grand Stand. It held 800 people.

In 1925 Colonel Zeigler of the Swiss Army first suggested holding an international jumping event. The Aga Khan of the time heard of this proposal and offered a challenge trophy to the winner of the competition. In 1926 International Competitions were introduced to the show and was the first time the Nations' Cup for the Aga Khan Challenge trophy was held.Up until 1949 the Nations' Cup teams had to consist of military officers. Six countries competed in the first international teams competition for the Aga Khan Challenge trophy – Great Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Ireland. The Swiss team won the title on Irish bred horses.

In 1976, after 50 years of international competition, the two grass banks in the Arena were removed so the Arena could be used for other events. The continental bank at the western end of the Main Arena was added later.

The RDS also hosted theShow Jumping World Championshipsin 1982.

Dublin Horse Show 2008 – main arena

2008 Dublin Horse Show

Bands and Military Police in the RDS Arena prior to the2010 Dublin Horse Show

The Dublin Horse Show circa 1920

Rugby union

The stadium first opened its doors torugby unionon Saturday 15 October 2005, hosting a game betweenLeinster Rugbyand theCardiff Blues,which Leinster won 34–15, the arena hosted four further games that season. The following season, the RDS was not used by Leinster due to redevelopment.

The 2007–08 season saw the RDS become the official home of Leinster when the branch signed a 20-year lease on the ground, with all of the home games for the season to be hosted there. This change came about after it became apparent that the team's former home ofDonnybrook Stadiumno longer had a sufficient capacity. After renovation and expansion, the Grandstand and North and South Stands were expanded, boosting the capacity to 18,500 along with floodlights being installed and a new playing surface being laid, to withstand the demands of a full rugby season and show jumping events.

The RDS had proven to be a very successful hunting ground for Leinster, as they won 11 of their 12 home games that season, culminating on Saturday 3 May 2008 in a 41–8 victory overNewport Gwent Dragonsand lifting theCeltic Leaguetrophy that day. In all, Leinster had played 18 games in the RDS, losing only twice, toBathandScarlets.Between March 2008 and 2010, the final of theLeinster Schools Senior Cupwas played in the RDS due to the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road, its traditional venue.

The RDS hosted the autumn rugby international between Ireland and Fiji on 21 November 2009, with Ireland running out convincing winners 41–6.The stadium also hosted the2010,2012,2013,2014,and2021Pro12 and Pro14Grand Finals and the2013Challenge Cup Final betweenLeinsterandStade Français,which saw a sell-out crowd of 20,396 people. On 26 March 2022, the RDS hosted 6,113 fans for the opening round of the2022 Women's Six Nations Championship,a record attendance for an Irish women's international test match.

Ireland International Rugby Union Matches
Date	Home	Score	Opponent	Competition	Attendance
13 February 2009	Ireland A	35–10	Scotland A	—
21 November 2009	Ireland	41–6	Fiji	2009 end-of-year rugby union internationals	16,500
4 November 2022	Ireland A	19–47	All Blacks XV	2022 end-of-year rugby union internationals

Grandstand prior to roof construction

2014 Pro12 final

2010 Magners League Final

2010 Magners Cup Final

Inside the RDS Arena prior to a Leinster Game

Rugby League

In August 1995 Ireland won their first ever home rugby league match against Scotland at the RDS Arena, as a curtain raiser to the charity shield match betweenLeeds RhinosandWigan Warriors.The matches were played before an attendance of 5,716, a record for an international rugby league match on Irish soil.

Rugby League Matches
Date	Home	Score	Opponent	Competition	Attendance
13 August 1995	Ireland	26–22	Scotland	Test Match	5,716
	Leeds Rhinos	45–20	Wigan Warriors	Charity Shield

Wrestling

The Arena hosted aWWEevent on 18 June 2005, part of the WWE Summerbash Tour, which featuredKurt Angle,Eddie Guerrero,Rey Mysterio,John CenaandStone Cold Steve Austin.

Concerts

Thin Lizzyplayed RDS Area on April 9 and 10th 1983 on their Thunder and Lighting Tour.

Tina Turnerplayed herBreak Every Rule World Touron 30 May 1987. She also stopped here with herForeign Affair: The Farewell Tourfrom 27–29 October 1990. Her last performance was to 40,000 people on herTwenty Four Seven Tour,on 11 July 2000.

Bruce Springsteenhas played 11 times at the arena. His first show was during theTunnel of Love Express Tourin 1988 in front of 42,000 fans, the second one in 1993 during theBruce Springsteen 1992–1993 World Tourin front of 40 000 people and then during theReunion Tourin front of 40 000 people andThe Rising Tourin 1999 and 2003 in front of 40 000 people each time. He played three sold-out shows during theMagic Tourin 2008 in front of more than 115,000 people, and then in 2009 during theWorking on a Dream Tourhis two concerts at the arena sold more than 80,000 tickets. He played again in 2012 during hisWrecking Ball World Tourfor 76,000 people. Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band will return to the Arena on the 5 and 7 May 2023 as part of their2023 International Tour,with a third, additional show on 9 May 2023.

Simple Mindsplayed the RDS on their Street Fighting Years tour, 19 August 1989.

Princeplayed the venue on 13 June 1992 as part of hisDiamonds and Pearls Tour.

U2played the arena on 27 and 28 August 1993 as a conclusion to the Zooropa tour, the European stadium leg of theZooTV tour,which supported the albumAchtung Baby.The second show was broadcast internationally on the radio, being 15–20 minutes delayed, reportedly due to the band's generosity to the playing time of their opening bands (Scary EireandStereo MC's). During the opening numberZoo Stationon this night,Bonoaltered a lyric to say "Hey child, it's alright, sleeping in my own bed tonight."

The Eaglesplayed theirHell Freezes Overtour on 6 July 1996.

Radioheadplayed to 38,000 people, on 20 June 1997, which was their highest attended performance at the time.

Michael Jacksonplayed hisHIStory World Tourconcert on 19 July 1997 here in front of more than 43,000 people.

Shania Twainperformed there on 10 July 1999 as part of herCome On Over Tour.

Britney Spearsperformed at RDS on 6 June 2004 as part ofThe Onyx Hotel Tour.

Boyzone,an Irishboyband,played at the arena in 1999, and once again, during their reunion, in 2008.

Guns N' Rosesplayed at the venue on 9 June 2006, as part of theirChinese Democracy Tour.

Metallica,Alice In ChainsandAvenged Sevenfoldplayed at the venue on 11 June 2006.

Bon Jovihave played the venue many times most recently in June 2019 playing two nights. They played over two nights in June 2011 to over 80,000 people.

Paul McCartneyplayed RDS on hisUp and Coming Touron 12 June 2010 and was thankful to the venue, due to a fireworks display that couldn't be done in an indoor arena (such as the O2 Arena, which hosted hisGood Evening Europe Tour,2009).

P!nkperformed at the venue on 19 June 2010 duringThe Funhouse Summer Carnival,and again on 18 June 2019 as part of herBeautiful Trauma World Tour.

Justin Bieberplayed here as part of hisPurpose World Touron 21 June 2017.

Fleetwood Macplayed at the RDS as part of theirAn Evening with Fleetwood Mactour on 13 June 2019.

Iron Maidenperformed at the RDS during their Early Days tour in 2005 to a crowd of over 35 thousand, supported byTurbonegroandMarilyn Manson,the first time the latter had been allowed to play in Ireland.

Boney M.performed at the RDS on 27 November 1978. This concert was recorded by RTÉ Television and broadcast on Christmas Day 1978 as part of the 'Event on Two' series. In 2015, the concert was released on DVD, called Diamonds.

Foo Fightersperformed here on 21 August 2019 as part of their Summer European Tour.

Post Maloneplayed at the RDS as part of his Beerbongs & Bentleys Tour on 22 August 2019.

Rammsteinperformed here as part of theirStadium Touron 23 June 2024.

Religious Gatherings

The Arena was the principal venue for the 50th International CatholicEucharistic Congressheld 10–17 June 2012.Eucharistic Congresses are held generally every four years in various places around the world to promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church, to help improve the understanding and celebration of the liturgy and to draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist.Expected attendance was 10,000-20,000 persons each day, with up to 80,000 at the closing Mass inCroke Parkon 17 June.Prior to this event, Congress was last held in Ireland in 1932.