RDS Arena

The RDS Arena is a multi-purpose sports stadium in the Irish capital Dublin. It is located in the southern district of Ballsbridge on the Anglesea Road and is owned by the Royal Dublin Society. The stadium, which offers 18,500 spectators, now serves primarily as the home ground of the national rugby union team Leinster Rugby. In addition, here also equestrian events, concerts, and also isolated soccer take place.

The stadium was originally built for horse events, especially for the Dublin Horse Show, where it was first held in 1868. The Royal Dublin Society acquired the site in 1879. Wooden grandstand was replaced in 2006 by a modern new building, which was a roof two years later. There are plans to increase the seating capacity of the stadium to 23,000.

Events

Football

From September 1990 to April 1996 used the Shamrock Rovers the RDS Arena as the home ground. The first international match took place here on 19 February 1992, when Ireland took on Wales. During the U-16 Football Championship in 1994 was the RDS Arena venue two group matches, quarter finals, the game for third place and the final. During the reconstruction of the Aviva Stadium in 2007 and 2008, the finals of the FAI Cup were held here. The team St Patrick's Athletic came here in the first round of the UEFA Cup in 2008/ 09 against Hertha BSC, as part of the UEFA Europa League 2009/10 against Steaua Bucharest.

Rugby Union

The first rugby game in this stadium took place on 15 October 2005, when Leinster Rugby played against Cardiff Blues. It was followed by four more games in the season 2005/06. In the following season, Leinster Rugby avoided for renovation work to other venues. Since the 2007/ 08 season, the RDS Arena is the official home stadium of the team after a 20 year valid lease agreement was signed. The capacity of the previously used Donnybrook Stadium no longer met the requirements. On 29 May 2010, the RDS was the venue for the final match of the Magners League 2009/10, at the Leinster Rugby defeated the Ospreys with 12:17. Another narrow defeat against the Ospreys ( 30:31 ) announced it on May 27, 2012 at the final of the Pro12 2011/12. On May 25, 2013 Leinster Rugby finally able to celebrate the championship title in the RDS Arena when the team was beaten with Ulster Rugby 24:18. Eight days earlier Leinster Rugby had 2012/13 decided in his home stadium the final of the European Challenge Cup against Stade Français with 34:13 for themselves.

From 2008 to 2010, the RDS Arena, home of the Leinster Schools Senior Cup, on 21 November 2009, one of the international match between Ireland and Fiji.

Horse riding

The stadium was originally built to carry out here riding events. Since 1868, every year the Dublin Horse Show held here. Similarly, the World Championships in show jumping found in 1982 in the RDS Arena instead.

Culture

The RDS Arena is often used in the summer months as a venue for outdoor concerts. It played here, among others Bon Jovi (2011), Boyzone (1999 and 2008), Britney Spears (2004), Bruce Springsteen (2003, 2008, 2009, 2012), Elton John (1984, 2005), Guns N ' Roses ( 2006), Iron Maiden ( 2005), grain (2002 ), Michael Jackson (1997 ), Paul McCartney (2010), P! nk (2010), Prince ( 1992), Queen ( 1979), Radiohead (1997), Rod Stewart ( 2013), Simple Minds (1989 ), Take That (2006), Tina Turner ( 1990, 2000 ), U2 (1993) and Van Halen (1995, 1996).

In June 2012, the RDS Arena hosted the week-long International Eucharistic Congress.

674485
de