One of the most recognisable stadiums in Europe, Dublin's Aviva Stadium has been the home of Irish sport since 2010, and fans often notice the uniquely-shaped low end when visiting the ground for football, rugby or concerts.
On Tuesday, Ireland's national football team will welcome North Macedonia to the Aviva for a friendly, just days after both sides were eliminated from the qualifying playoffs for the 2026 World Cup. The Boys in Green were beaten on penalties by Czechia, after surrendering a two-goal lead and holding on through extra time.
Many see the game as a dead-rubber, but the home fans will be looking for some consolation after the heartbreak of missing out on the World Cup once again, having last reached the finals back in 2002.
Read on as Football Ground Guide answers one of the most common questions visitors have about the ground: Why is one end of the Aviva Stadium so low?
What is the Aviva Stadium?
The Aviva Stadium is a multi-purpose facility that is the home of both the Irish rugby and football teams – the pair have an equal-split joint ownership lease on the site until 2070.
Officially opened in 2010 to replace its predecessor, Lansdowne Road Stadium, it has an impressive capacity of 51,700 and makes for a lively venue.
Despite being a relatively new ground, the Aviva Stadium has plenty of history regarding hosting important football matches. Over the years, countless domestic fixtures have been played on its pitch, as well as two separate Europa League finals, the first being in 2011 and the most recent in 2023.
It is an extremely versatile stadium, and American football has also been played on the site a handful of times.
Why is one end so low at the Aviva Stadium?
Let's all look forward to 2030 world cup qualifying. Horrible result tonight
— Fra (@fragillen) September 6, 2025
With football stadiums seemingly growing every year, residents in the respective local areas surrounding these grounds are becoming increasingly worried about the effect this has on their homes.
With that in mind, the Aviva Stadium was designed with one end of the ground being noticeably low in order to limit the ground's imposition on nearby residents.
Specifically, the venue's North Stand – which often seats away fans – is much lower than the other three stands, all of which house the seats of choice for supporters keen on having the best view of the pitch.
This gives the stadium a unique feel whether in the ground or watching on television, while also helping to create a sense that those in the away end are surrounded by their hosts.
