Leinster's Champions Cup clash against Northampton in Croke Park attracted a record-breaking crowd, exceeding even the World Cup final. The match highlights Leinster's immense popularity and strong fan support.
Leinster 's Champions Cup clash against Northampton in Croke Park attracted a bigger crowd than any other rugby match last season, including the World Cup final. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho’s grounds in Dublin, the province’s season is already looking solidly supported in terms of ticket sales and expected crowds attending matches at both alternative venues in thein 2009 and Northampton last season.
The Champion’s Cup semi-final in May against the Premiership side in Croke Park was a total sell-out with an attendance of 82,300 and set the record for an EPCR fixture. The game against Munster, which held the record for a number of years, drew 82,208 people. In fact, the Northampton match attracted the biggest crowd at a rugby union game last season, eclipsing even the 2023 World Cup final between South Africa and New Zealand in Stade de France. Tickets for the match sold out within 36 hours. Some 55,000 tickets have already been sold for Leinster’s match against Munster in the United Rugby Championship (URC) before the season has even begun. Organisers are hoping for a figure north of 70,000 for the fixture, which takes place in Croke Park on October 12th and is averaging 400-500 sales a day.Stuart McCloskey signs two-year contract extension with Ulster Leinster play their first home match next week against Dragons, with the lower bowl (the middle and upper levels will not open for the match) area of the Aviva ground available at just under a 20,000 capacity. “One thing that we did do really well last year was mange to have eyes on a couple of the big events,” said Leinster media manager Marcus O’Buachalla. “We had 82,000 in Croke Park for the Northampton game and we had a fair few Aviva games as well. When you get supporters in and you get a chance to show what a match-day experience can be, you try to bring them with you for further games. “The Northampton Saints game was brilliant for us last year in terms of bringing in more people to Leinster games that probably would not have been there before and just having more of those knockout Aviva games last year allows us to showcase what an Aviva game can be. You are tapping into an audience that have already had their eyes opened.” The hoardings went up around the RDS last week and ground is expected to be broken on the site within the next two weeks. The tender processes have been completed and builders selected. The cost have increased since the plan was conceived in 2014 and it is anticipated to come in at about €50 million. The application seeks to demolish the existing Anglesea Stand and Anglesea Terrace, and the new stand is to accommodate 6,775 people and consist of three levels, while there will also be a two-storey hospitality building. The RDS arena currently has a match-day capacity of 19,532, with the redevelopment gaining about 2,000 more seats. Leinster ticket sales are generally consistent but sometimes receive a lift after team announcements on Friday
Rugby Leinster Northampton Croke Park Attendance Records Sport Fans
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Leinster to host Champions Cup pool games at the AvivaClermont (14 December) and Bath (18 January) will travel to Lansdowne Road.
Read more »
Leinster to play home Champions Cup games against Clermont and Bath at the Aviva StadiumLeo Cullen’s side will open their campaign with a trip to Ashton Gate to take on Bristol Bears on Sunday, December 8th
Read more »
Jon Rahm finally appeals LIV Golf fines to give himself huge Ryder Cup boostJon Rahm has lodged an appeal over the fines he has accrued by playing on LIV Golf, meaning he can compete in DP World Tour events and keep his card for the time being
Read more »
Europe need huge comeback in singles to retain Solheim CupThe latest sports news from The42.ie in 60 seconds
Read more »
Electric Picnic 2024 highs and lows: Huge crowds for Irish acts, drink-laden plastic-cup missilesIt was the biggest edition of festival so far, with 75,000 people in Stradbally for the weekend. Here’s what we loved and hated
Read more »
Tiger Woods handed Presidents Cup chance by Jim Furyk after Ryder Cup snubFive-time Masters champion Tiger Woods has been handed a potential lifeline for this year's Presidents Cup - with Jim Furyk set to name his six captain's picks shortly
Read more »