Staging the Champions League final could be a game-changer for Ireland

The Republic of Ireland has traditionally been an afterthought when it comes to staging major football events, but that could be about to change.

Dublin’s Croke Park reportedly wants to host the UEFA Champions League final, and the ambitious bid may well come to fruition over the next few years.

Staging the final would generate major economic benefits, particularly for the tourism and hospitality industry in Dublin and the surrounding region.

The gambling sector would also benefit, with online betting in Ireland expected to be a major beneficiary if Croke Park hosted one of the biggest games in professional football.

Read on as we assess why hosting the Champions League final could be a game-changer for Ireland if UEFA can be persuaded to award them the game.

McKenna eager to explore commercial opportunities

Croke Park is the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), the governing body for traditional Irish sports such as hurling and Gaelic football.

The GAA previously prohibited sports it felt they were in competition with from being staged in its stadiums, but has relaxed its stance in recent years.

The venue is scheduled to host a friendly between Manchester United and Leeds United this summer, which could be a trial run for a far more ambitious project.

Stadium and commercial director Peter McKenna is eager to explore opportunities to generate revenue and believes he can persuade UEFA to bring the big game to Dublin.

“The capacity of 82,300 and successfully running an event like the Man United versus Leeds fixture, all that would go to prove our credentials,” McKenna told The Athletic.

“It would help to say ‘why not consider Dublin?’ It is a city that gives a great atmosphere and a Champions League final in Croke Park would be fantastic.”

“I have no doubt we would get the full support of Dublin City Council, the Irish government and the Irish Football Association for such a venture,” McKenna added.

Revamp may be needed at Croke Park

UEFA has awarded the Champions League final to stadiums with a capacity of at least 70,000 since 2008 due to security issues.

There have been a couple of exceptions, with 65,000-capacity grounds used in 2014 and 2019. The 2020 and 2021 finals were also moved to smaller venues due to the COVD-19 pandemic.

While Croke Park has an 82,300 capacity, it is worth noting that it has terraced areas which hold 13,200 people. The remaining 69,100 capacity is all seated.

A revamp of the venue may be required to ensure it meets UEFA’s favoured criteria of a minimum 70,000 capacity to stage the Champions League final.

Time is on their side, with the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, and Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium in Spain set to host the final for the next two seasons.

The Allianz Arena in Munich was the only stadium to express an interest in the 2028 final, while Barcelona’s Camp Nou is expected to stage the game in 2029.

Wembley Stadium is the favourite to host the 2030 final, meaning Croke Park may have to wait until at least 2031 before they can host the fixture.

However, that time frame gives McKenna and his team the breathing space they need to ensure that Croke Park meets UEFA’s strict criteria.

Having staged the 2023/24 Europa League final at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland has demonstrated that it can host major football events.

The opportunity to stage the Champions League final would be another feather in their cap, further helping to put the country on the global football map.

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