Aviva Stadium is in the news this week for sell-out Ireland rugby fixtures and ongoing event upgrades; Dublin’s landmark venue seats 51,700.
Irish activists have disrupted a Dublin friendly between Ireland and Qatar by throwing tennis balls on the pitch to protest upcoming Nations League games against Israel. The protests have intensified pressure on the Football Association of Ireland to boycott the Israel fixtures, with dates set for September and October. Ireland’s coach and players have called for peaceful protest while insisting the matches will go ahead.
The Football Association of Ireland has moved an October 4 Nations League match against Israel away from Aviva Stadium due to operational challenges amid protests over Gaza war casualties. A September 27 home fixture for Israel is also expected to be staged at a neutral venue. The federation says the change aims to protect the delivery of the match, with both sides set to meet at neutral sites.