McKenna eyes Champions League final at Croke Park

Croke Park stadium and commercial director Peter McKenna has floated the possibility of the venue hosting a Champions League final at some point in the future.

With the iconic venue set to host its first ever club football game with the clash of Manchester United-Leeds in a pre-season friendly in August, McKenna hopes a successful staging can prove the stadium is up to hosting the showpiece event.

Speaking to The Athletic, McKenna said: "The capacity of 82,000 and successfully running an event like the Man United v Leeds fixture, all that would go to prove our credentials.

"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."

It's 21 years since the GAA relaxed Rule 42, which prohibited the playing of non-Gaelic games in GAA stadiums. However, sports like boxing and American Football were staged on Jones's Road before the rule was modified to allow rugby union and soccer to take place at Croke Park while Lansdowne Road was being redeveloped.

Six Nations games, along with World Cup and Euro qualifiers, took place at Croke Park between 2007 and 2010. Since then Munster and Leinster rugby sides have graced the venue and September 2025 saw the NFL clash between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings.

In terms of capacity, Croke Park's is well above the minimum of 65,000 that is required to host the Champions League showpiece, though the terraced Hill 16 would require temporary seating.

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

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