Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Dublin football stadiums: Five of the best in the Irish capital

Dublin is a city with a rich sporting culture, and boasts some of Ireland's most iconic sporting arenas, with healthy mix of classic grounds and modern venues that showcase the best the capital has to offer. Ranging from the spectacle of massive national stadiums fit for international clashes to more personal-feeling club grounds, Dublin football stadiums provide a unique sense of atmosphere, history and scale.

Considering the variety of fans out there seeking different types of experiences, the city covers all bases, whether supporters are looking for the bustling crowds at the Aviva Stadium or the electric nights at Tallaght.

Here, Football Ground Guide details the five biggest stadiums in Dublin, taking a look at their size, significance, and role in shaping the capital's sporting identity. More than mere host venues for events, these Dublin football stadiums are landmarks that bring communities together and platform Irish football on the wider European stage.

Dublin football stadiums: A full overview

Aviva Stadium – National stadium

Aviva Stadium is the home venue for Ireland’s Rugby Union team and the Republic of Ireland football team. It was opened in 2010 and can hold over 50,000 fans. It has held two UEFA Europa League finals, including the 2024 clash between Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen.

Dublin football stadiums
Atalanta beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the 2024 UEFA Europa League final – Photo by Icon Sport.

It is also one of the host venues for Euro 2028, which will be played in the UK and Ireland. The ground is located a mile south of the Dublin city centre and will be one of the most popular destinations for visiting supporters when the tournament gets underway.

Dalymount Park – Home of Bohemians

Bohemians have played their home matches at Dalymount Park since 1901. It is an old-fashioned ground with its major redevelopment project in the late 1990s. These renovations, which cost north of £1 million, saw the old main stand replaced.

It was announced in February 2024 that the Dublin City Council gave the green light for Bohemians’ planning application to build a new stadium that will cost more than €40 million and hold over 8,000 spectators. It is expected that the new facility will be ready for the 2027 season.

Dalymount Park is a venue with significant history as well. Back in 1957, 48,000 fans came to watch Ireland play England, which remains the ground’s record attendance. The significant investment being put into this stadium, along with its long history of holding high-profile international matches, means that it is a ground definitely worth visiting.

Richmond Park – Home of St Patrick’s Athletic

In the early 20th century, the British Army used Richmond Barracks as a “recreational area”, which is the same land where Richmond Park, home of St Patrick’s Athletic, now sits. It is a unique ground that is located behind terraced housing in the suburb of Inchicore.

There has been speculation in recent years that St Patrick’s Athletic might leave Richmond Park to build a bigger and more modern facility. No new plans have materialised, including a proposed 2025 groundsharing agreement with Shamrock Rovers, which was quickly rejected by supporters.

Tallaght Stadium – Home of Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers are the most successful club in the Republic of Ireland, winning the league 22 times. The club moved into Tallaght Stadium after years of groundsharing in the 1990s and early 2000s, as the former owners in 1987 had sold Glenmalure Park Stadium to property developers.

In the 2010s, the Hoops had to redevelop the south stand to comply with UEFA rules, especially when qualifying for the Europa League in the 2011/12 campaign. They played Tottenham Hotspur in the group stage that year, with 8,500 fans attending.

Stephen Bradley’s side are currently in the midst of a Europa Conference League campaign, which means there is still more European football to play at Tallaght Stadium. However, they have lost both of their league phase games at home, and will be hoping to turn things around.

Tolka Park – Home of Shelbourne

Tolka Park has hosted two Republic of Ireland matches – in 1981 and 1983. Both fixtures were against Wales, with the first game drawing a crowd of 15,000.

There were doubts about how long this ground would remain Shelbourne’s home, especially after Dublin City Council took control of the ownership of the stadium in 2016, and while the club remain at Tolka Park for the time being, plans are in development for them to groundshare with Bohemians once the work on Dalymount Park is finished.

Freelance football journalist. Experience writing for When Saturday, Comes, Goalkeeper.com, Elite Scholars and Total Football Analysis. Recently finished an MA in Sport Journalism at the University of Brighton. Long-time season ticket holder at the two-time European Champions Nottingham Forest.

Articles: 350