LEINSTER have confirmed the Aviva Stadium will be its home ground for next season – with Croke Park hosting some fixtures.
The RDS is due to be redeveloped which would see the existing Anglesea Stand and Terrace replaced with a new three-tier stand with a capacity of 6,775 alongside a two-storey hospitality building.
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The €50m development – which would see the ground’s capacity increase from its current 18,500 to 21,500 – could mean it is out of use for most of the 2024-25 campaign.
As a result, Leinster will move to Lansdowne Road for the majority of its games with some to be played in Croke Park when the Aviva Stadium is unavailable.
Leinster regularly use the Aviva Stadium for some Champions Cup matches and URC fixtures against Munster.
Their Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton Saints on May 4 is being played at Croke Park because the Aviva Stadium is unavailable ahead of the Europa League final later in the month.
Despite the move to the higher-spec stadium, Leinster have announced there will be no increase in the cost of season tickets.
They are also introducing a cheaper entry level ticket, student tickets and family tickets for a family of five.
The existing season ticket-holders – of which there are more than 12,800 – will be able to renew from Tuesday April 23, with sales open to the current waiting list on May 1 ahead of a public sale on May 3.
The province has also confirmed that season-ticket holders will have priority purchase on tickets for when they return to the RDS.
Leinster Rugby CEO Shane Nolan said: “This a hugely exciting update for everyone associated with Leinster Rugby and we look forward to supporting the RDS in its ambition to regenerate.
“We are very fortunate to be able to relocate to Aviva Stadium, a stadium that we are very familiar with as an organisation and as a supporter base, and where we have enjoyed many brilliant days together. Last Saturday’s win was another one to add to a long list of great days.
“I’d like to put on record my appreciation and indeed the Leinster Rugby Branch’s appreciation to the Boards of the RDS, the IRFU, the FAI and the Aviva Stadium for all their help in facilitating this move and indeed to the GAA for their help in securing Croke Park for a number of games next season.
“It will be a season like no other, of that there will be no doubt, and while we acknowledge that there will be some inconvenience in any stadium move, we are also very excited to bring a full season of Leinster Rugby matches to venues of the quality of the Aviva Stadium and Croke Park, two of the finest stadia in Europe.”
