- December 9, 2024
- Posted by: SportsV
- Categories: Case Studies, Featured Articles, Features, Home News, Industry News, News, Press Releases
A transformative €52 million investment programme to elevate the Main Arena at the RDS is now underway at the 43-acre campus in Dublin, Ireland, including the construction of the new Anglesea Stand.
The RDS has begun the regeneration of its main arena. The works include the demolition of the existing Anglesea Stand and Terrace, as well as the regeneration of the Grandstand, the location for new dressing rooms and player’s tunnel.
With a vision to create memorable experiences for live entertainment and sporting communities, the project signals transformation at the RDS. Underpinned by wellbeing, inclusivity, sustainability and excellence, the project includes a new 6,775 capacity Anglesea Stand which delivers a significant upgrade for the overall RDS visitor.
Works commenced in September 2024 and the 20,600-seat arena will be completed by August 2026.
The grand opening is planned for Summer 2026 at the RDS Dublin Horse Show however during construction, a three-sided arena will operate facilitating the 2025 Dublin Horse Show and over the coming weeks, the RDS will work with United Rugby Championship (URC) side, Leinster Rugby, on finalising the timing of their return to the Arena; Leinster is utilising Aviva Stadium and Croke Park while the venue development works are underway.
Greg Power, Director of Estates, Campus Strategy & Property Development at The RDS, will be speaking at the first SVB LIVE Networking Event of 2025, taking place at Leopardstown Racecourse in Dublin, Ireland, on January 23rd. Book your ticket here.
RDS Chief Executive, Liam Kavanagh said:
As the home of the Dublin Horse Show and Leinster Rugby, this is an exciting time for The RDS. The team and I are ambitious for the RDS main arena to continue to create a unique experience while also delivering for the rapidly evolving needs of Irish society. The regeneration of the arena is the beginning of a new journey for the RDS as it embarks on this first phase of a wider Campus development programme.
We would like to acknowledge Government support for the project through the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). As the construction project is underway our focus now is to create a world-class venue for all visitors, customers, and partner organisations. This will be a significant addition to the RDS and to the city of Dublin.
Project Highlights:
- New Anglesea Stand: 6,775-capacity for an elevated spectator experience.
- Grandstand Upgrades: Enhanced facilities for top-tier events.
The Royal Dublin Society (RDS) has long been a central column of Dublin and Ireland’s cultural and sporting communities, and is known around the world. The RDS continues to improve and enhance its activities and fields of operation, and has tasked Grimshaw with redeveloping the Angelsea Stand to better support its rich variety of sporting events.
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The brief called for a stand that could adapt to the many uses of the site. These include the home to Leinster Rugby during the winter season, the annual horse show in the summer, while also being a facility for concerts and events throughout the year.
Grimshaw’s proposal for the stand is a significant improvement to the previous Anglesea Stand, providing superior views across the main arena, and with a substantial investment in its public facilities which will enable RDS to continue in its growth.
The proposal will improve connectivity between the north and the south of the site by allowing a great amount of permeability across the immediate development site as well as through the structure of the grandstand building itself.
Source & imagery, courtesy: RDS / Grimshaw
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