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Ravenhill Stadium
Stadium in Belfast
Stadium in Belfast
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Affidea Stadium |
| pushpin_map | United Kingdom Greater Belfast |
| nickname | Ravenhill |
| location | 85 Ravenhill Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| coordinates | |
| image | 300px |
| opened | 1923 |
| renovated | 2009 and 2012/14 |
| owner | Irish Rugby Football Union |
| surface | Artificial Turf |
| public_transit | Lanyon Place railway station |
| tenants | Ulster Rugby |
| seating_capacity | 18,196 (9,000 seated) |
Ravenhill Stadium (known as the Affidea Stadium for sponsorship reasons from July 2025, formerly known as the Kingspan Stadium) is a rugby stadium located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is the home of Ulster Rugby. With the opening of a new stand for the 2014 Heineken Cup quarter-final against Saracens on 5 April 2014, the capacity of the stadium is now 18,196. The stadium is owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union.
History
Up until the 1920s, Ulster and Ireland played games at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society grounds in Belfast. In 1923 the IRFU purchased Ravenhill rugby ground, formerly the home of Cooke RFC, for £2,300, and built a stand holding 3,500 spectators at a cost of £15,500, designed by Belfast architects Henry Hobart and Samuel Heron.
Ravenhill has been the annual venue for the Ulster Schools Cup final since 1924, which is traditionally contested on St Patrick's Day. The stadium is traditionally the venue for the Ulster Towns Cup, played on Easter Monday.
Ravenhill has hosted 18 international matches, including pool games in both the 1991 and 1999 Rugby World Cups. The most recent Ireland international played at the stadium was on 24 August 2007 against Italy in a warm-up match for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Prior to that match, Scotland was the last visitor in the 1954 Five Nations Championship. Ravenhill also hosted the 2007 Under 19 Rugby World Championship final in which New Zealand defeated South Africa.
Ravenhill hosted memorable Ulster games in the Heineken Cup. Ulster beat Toulouse 15–13 at Ravenhill in the quarter-finals of the 1998–99 Heineken Cup. Ravenhill then hosted the 1998–99 Heineken Cup semi-final in which Ulster defeated Stade Français 33–27. The most memorable moment in that game was when out half David Humphreys ran from the Ulster 10-metre line to score a try.
On 30 May 2015, the 2015 Pro12 Grand Final was played at the Kingspan Stadium. Glasgow Warriors beat Munster 31–13.
On 26 August 2017, the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup Final was played at the Kingspan Stadium. New Zealand beat England 41–32. The semi-final matches and some play-off matches of the Women's Rugby World Cup were also played at the stadium.
A 3G artificial playing surface was installed ahead of the 2023-24 season, in place of the original grass pitch.
American Football
In 1942, Ravenhill was the scene of the first game of American football ever played on the island of Ireland, played between teams representing service and artillery units of the United States Army stationed in Northern Ireland during World War II before an audience of more than 8000.
In 2022, Ravenhill hosted Shamrock Bowl XXXIV, the annual championship of American Football Ireland. UCD defeated Dublin Rebels in the game by a score of 52-24 to secure their first Shamrock Bowl title.
2009 Redevelopment
The new stand at Ravenhill was officially opened on 9 October 2009 by First Minister Peter Robinson, before a match between Ulster and Bath Rugby. The stand has however been in use since the first home match of the 2009–2010 season, against Edinburgh Rugby.
The stand is on the Mount Merrion side of the ground, and consists of a terraced area, over 500 premium seats, and 20 corporate boxes. The terraced area is now covered by a roof for the first time in the stadium's history. The cost of the project is approximately £4.5 million, and has been funded by a mixture of public-sector funding, sales of premium tickets and boxes, and loans from the IRFU.
2012–2014 Redevelopment
In 2011, the Northern Ireland Executive announced that it had granted £138m for various stadium redevelopment projects throughout Northern Ireland. Ulster Rugby received £14.5m, which was used to redevelop Ravenhill and expand its capacity from 12,000 to 18,000.
In 2012, Ulster Rugby confirmed that three new stands would be built at Ravenhill, with work commencing in late 2012. Two new stands at the Memorial and Aquinas ends of the stadium were completed while the main stand was demolished and rebuilt. The major refurbishment was completed in April 2014.
Sponsorship
On 5 June 2014, Ulster signed a 10-year contract with the Kingspan Group for the naming rights to Ravenhill, meaning that the stadium would be known as the Kingspan Stadium until 2024. As the sponsorship deal approached its end, Kingspan agreed to extend it for a further year to allow Ulster time to find a new sponsor. In July 2025, Ulster signed a new stadium naming rights deal with healthcare provider Affidea.
Ireland Internationals
| Ireland Senior Test Matches | Date | Competition | Home | Away | Score | Attendance | Report | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 February 1924 | Five Nations | **** | 3–14 | 15,000 | title=Six Nations 1924 | url=https://www.espn.com/rugby/match?gameId=19268&league=180659 | website=ESPN | access-date=21 April 2021}} | ||
| 14 March 1925 | Five Nations | **** | WAL Wales | 19–3 | ||||||
| 23 January 1926 | Five Nations | **** | 11–0 | 20,000 | title=Six Nations 1926 | url=https://www.espn.com.au/rugby/match?gameId=19309&league=180659 | website=ESPN | access-date=21 April 2021}} | ||
| 28 January 1928 | Five Nations | **** | 12–8 | 20,000 | title=Six Nations 1928 | url=https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/match?gameId=19353&league=180659 | website=ESPN | access-date=21 April 2021}} | ||
| 9 March 1929 | Five Nations | WAL Wales | 5–5 | |||||||
| 25 January 1930 | Five Nations | **** | 0–5 | 25,000 | title=Six Nations 1930 | url=https://www.espn.com/rugby/match?gameId=19395&league=180659 | website=ESPN | access-date=21 April 2021}} | ||
| 14 March 1931 | Five Nations | WAL Wales | 3–15 | 30,000 | title=Six Nations 1931 | url=https://www.espn.com/rugby/match?gameId=19419&league=180659 | website=ESPN | access-date=21 April 2021}} | ||
| 11 March 1933 | Home Nations | **** | WAL Wales | 10–5 | ||||||
| 9 March 1935 | Home Nations | **** | WAL Wales | 9–3 | 35,000 | title=Six Nations 1935 | url=https://www.espn.com/rugby/match?gameId=19500&league=180659 | website=ESPN | access-date=21 April 2021}} | |
| 3 April 1937 | Home Nations | **** | WAL Wales | 5–3 | 20,000 | title=Six Nations 1937 | url=https://www.espn.com/rugby/match?gameId=19541&league=180659 | website=ESPN | access-date=21 April 2021}} | |
| 11 March 1939 | Home Nations | WAL Wales | 0–7 | 28,000 | title=Six Nations 1939 | url=https://www.espn.com/rugby/match?gameId=19585&league=180659 | website=ESPN | access-date=21 April 2021}} | ||
| 13 March 1948 | Five Nations | **** | WAL Wales | 6–3 | 32,000 | title=Six Nations 1948 | url=https://www.espn.com/rugby/match?gameId=19637&league=180659 | website=ESPN | access-date=21 April 2021}} | |
| 11 March 1950 | Five Nations | WAL Wales | 3–6 | |||||||
| 24 January 1953 | Five Nations | **** | 16–3 | 38,000 | title=Six Nations 1953 | url=https://www.espn.com/rugby/match?gameId=19749&league=180659 | website=ESPN | access-date=21 April 2021}} | ||
| 27 February 1954 | Five Nations | **** | 6–0 | |||||||
| 24 August 2007 | 2007 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches | **** | 23–20 | 14,100 | title=Late O’Gara Try Leads Ireland To Ravenhill Win | url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2007/08/24/late-ogara-try-leads-ireland-to-ravenhill-win/ | website=Irish Rugby | access-date=21 April 2021}} |
| Ireland's Record at the Ravenhill | Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | % Won | Total | 16 | 10 | 1 | 5 | % | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test Match | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | % | ||||||||||||
| Home/Five Nations | 15 | 9 | 1 | 5 | % | ||||||||||||
| This table does not include the results of the Ireland Wolfhounds, Ireland A, Ireland B or the Ireland U25 sides. |
Updated 21 April 2021
| Ireland Uncapped International Matches |
|---|
| Date |
| 4 December 1982 |
| 22 December 1990 |
| 26 November 1997 |
| 1 December 1998 |
| 28 December 1998 |
| 7 November 2000 |
| 16 February 2001 |
| 13 November 2001 |
| 1 March 2002 |
| 7 March 2003 |
| 9 February 2007 |
| 13 November 2009 |
| 5 February 2010 |
| 4 February 2011 |
Rugby World Cup Matches
Kutsuki (2) Mashuho (2) Yoshida (2) Matsuo Luaiufi Nguruve
Kefu (3) 7' c, 25' c, 78' c Little 41' m Roff (2) 43' c, 48' m Paul 64' c Burke 67' c Burke (5)
Ulster Home Attendance
| League | Fixtures | Average Attendance | Highest | Lowest | League | Fixtures | Average Attendance | Highest | Lowest | Total Attendance | Average Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | – | – | – | – | 1995–96 Heineken Cup | 1 | 2,500 | 2,500 | 2,500 | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| – | – | – | – | – | 1996–97 Heineken Cup | 2 | 5,750 | 8,000 | 3,500 | 11,500 | 5,750 |
| – | – | – | – | – | 1997–98 Heineken Cup | 3 | 2,617 | 3,250 | 2,100 | 7,850 | 2,617 |
| – | – | – | – | – | 1998–99 Heineken Cup | 5 | 11,000 | 20,000 | 4,500 | 55,000 | 11,000 |
| – | – | – | – | – | 1999–00 Heineken Cup | 3 | 8,667 | 12,000 | 6,000 | 26,000 | 8,667 |
| – | – | – | – | – | 2000–01 Heineken Cup | 3 | 12,500 | 13,500 | 12,000 | 37,500 | 12,500 |
| 2001–02 Celtic League | 4 | 8,500 | 12,000 | 6,000 | 2001–02 Heineken Cup | 3 | 11,833 | 13,000 | 10,000 | 69,500 | 9,929 |
| 2002–03 Celtic League | 4 | 8,375 | 10,500 | 6,000 | 2002–03 Heineken Cup | 3 | 11,717 | 12,500 | 11,000 | 68,650 | 9,807 |
| 2003–04 Celtic League | 12• | 6,863 | 12,000 | 5,041 | 2003–04 Heineken Cup | 3 | 11,489 | 12,300 | 10,243 | 116,819 | 7,788 |
| 2004–05 Celtic League | 10 | 6,693 | 8,145 | 5,638 | 2004–05 Heineken Cup | 3 | 9,452 | 11,435 | 7,320 | 95,283 | 7,330 |
| 2005–06 Celtic League | 10 | 9,181 | 12,300 | 6,487 | 2005–06 Heineken Cup | 3 | 12,284 | 12,300 | 12,252 | 128,665 | 9,897 |
| 2006–07 Celtic League | 10 | 10,207 | 12,900 | 7,429 | 2006–07 Heineken Cup | 3 | 12,599 | 12,772 | 12,278 | 139,862 | 10,759 |
| 2007–08 Celtic League | 9 | 9,661 | 13,132 | 6,592 | 2007–08 Heineken Cup | 3 | 10,335 | 13,000 | 8,340 | 117,956 | 9,830 |
| 2008–09 Celtic League | 9 | 9,085 | 13,500 | 7,368 | 2008–09 Heineken Cup | 3 | 9,329 | 10,397 | 8,729 | 109,752 | 9,146 |
| 2009–10 Celtic League | 9 | 8,863 | 11,800 | 7,334 | 2009–10 Heineken Cup | 3 | 10,509 | 11,000 | 8,262 | 109,947 | 9,162 |
| 2010–11 Celtic League | 11 | 8,476 | 11,426 | 6,651 | 2010–11 Heineken Cup | 3 | 8,863 | 10,566 | 7,777 | 119,829 | 8,559 |
| 2011–12 Pro12 | 11 | 8,258 | 11,379 | 6,296 | 2011–12 Heineken Cup | 3 | 9,593 | 11,900 | 7,494 | 119,620 | 8,544 |
| 2012–13 Pro12 | 12 | 10,373 | 11,078 | 8,108 | 2012–13 Heineken Cup | 3 | 11,123 | 11,451 | 10,940 | 157,840 | 10,523 |
| 2013–14 Pro12 | 11 | 13,348 | 16,950 | 10,693 | 2013–14 Heineken Cup | 4 | 14,464 | 16,853 | 12,977 | 204,678 | 13,645 |
| 2014–15 Pro12 | 11 | 16,037 | 17,139 | 13,501 | 2014–15 European Rugby Champions Cup | 3 | 16,179 | 16,931 | 15,659 | 224,946 | 16,068 |
| 2015–16 Pro12 | 11 | 15,310 | 17,332 | 12,640 | 2015–16 European Rugby Champions Cup | 3 | 16,111 | 17,108 | 15,108 | 216,740 | 15,481 |
| 2016–17 Pro12 | 11 | 15,961 | 17,676 | 13,663 | 2016–17 European Rugby Champions Cup | 3 | 16,028 | 16,843 | 14,924 | 223,658 | 15,976 |
| 2017–18 Pro14 | 12* | 14,026 | 17,631 | 7,014 | 2017–18 European Rugby Champions Cup | 3 | 15,314 | 15,646 | 15,004 | 214,247 | 14,283 |
| 2018–19 Pro14 | 11 | 13,835 | 17,358 | 11,882 | 2018–19 European Rugby Champions Cup | 3 | 14,039 | 16,842 | 12,124 | 194,300 | 13,879 |
| 2019–20 Pro14 | 7‡ | 13,818 | 17,483 | 10,975 | 2019–20 European Rugby Champions Cup | 3 | 17,024 | 17,923 | 15,466 | 147,796 | 14,780 |
| 2020–21 Pro14 | |||||||||||
| Pro14 Rainbow Cup | 0‡ | – | – | – | 2020–21 European Rugby Champions Cup | 0‡ | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2021–22 United Rugby Championship | 10 | 11,696 | 16,274 | 9,542 | 2021–22 European Rugby Champions Cup | 3 | 14,969 | 18,196 | 12,000 | 161,869 | 12,452 |
| 2022–23 United Rugby Championship | 10 | 13,413 | 16,741 | 10,858 | 2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup | 1 | 18,196 | 18,196 | 18,196 | 152,330 | 13,848 |
| 2023–24 United Rugby Championship | 8† | 13,679 | 18,196 | 10,181 | 2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup | 2 | 14,437 | 16,592 | 12,282 | 138,305 | 13,831 |
| 2024–25 United Rugby Championship | 9 | 13,176 | 16,491 | 11,533 | 2024–25 European Rugby Champions Cup | 2 | 12,335 | 13,093 | 11,576 | 143,251 | 13,023 |
| •Match figures inclusive of both Celtic League and Celtic Cup fixtures. | |||||||||||
| *Match figures inclusive of both Pro14 League fixtures and a European Champions Cup playoff fixture. | |||||||||||
| ‡Match figures include fixtures in which COVID-19 restrictions limited attendance, but exclude fixtures in which no spectators were allowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. | |||||||||||
| †Only matches in which there was a reported attendance are included. |
Up to date as of the 2024–25 season.
| Key |
|---|
| * |
Ravenhill Facilities Prior to Redevelopment
| [[File:Ravenhill Rugby Ground - geograph-736916.jpg | thumb | View from grandstand]] | [[File:The Stand — geograph.org.uk — 73342.jpg | thumb | Grandstand]] | [[File:Ravenhillstadium.jpg | thumb | View from grandstand]] | [[File:Old Stand, Ravenhill - geograph.org.uk - 2916315.jpg | thumb | Old Ravenhill grandstand]] |
|---|
References
References
- "KINGSPAN STADIUM".
- [https://ulster.rugby/content/ulster-rugby-announces-long-term-stadium-naming-rights-partnership-with-affidea "Ulster Rugby Announces Long-Term Stadium Naming Rights Partnership with Affidea"], Ulster Rugby, 3 July 2025
- [https://ulster.rugby/content/100-years-of-ulster-rugbys-home "100 years of Ulster Rugby’s home"], Ulster Rugby, 11 January 2024
- [https://www.intouchrugby.com/magazine/old-cookers-wanted/ "Old Cookers wanted..."] In Touch Rugby, 18 August 2010
- Ciaran Donaghy, [https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/ravenhills-grand-stage-celebrates-100-years-of-ulster-magic-and-memories-4476997 "Ravenhill's grand stage celebrates 100 years of Ulster magic and memories"], ''News Letter'', 12 January 2024
- [https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/its-good-to-be-back/28022042.html "It's good to be back"], ''Belfast Telegraph'', 10 July 2006
- It was inaugurated on 12 January 1924 with a 14-6 Ulster win over [[Leinster Rugby
- [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/66913873 "Ulster Rugby: Artificial pitch 'will certainly change things', says assistant coach Dan Soper"], BBC Sport, 25 September 2023
- Michael Kenwood, [https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/new-kingspan-3g-pitch-approved-27233035 "New Kingspan 3G pitch approved despite local objections"], Belfast Live, 1 July 2023
- "European Theater of Operations Football Championship Northern Ireland Autumn 1942".
- McQuaid, Michael. (2023-12-26). "American football came to Northern Ireland for first time when soldiers played in Belfast during Second World War".
- "American football in Ulster during the Second World War".
- Bradley, Jonathan. (2022-08-05). "How American Football is reaching new heights across Ireland as Ravenhill prepares to host the Shamrock Bowl". Belfast Telegraph.
- "Shamrock Bowl".
- "Rugby fans line out for grandstand view - Local & National, News". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
- (2009-10-09). "BBC Sport - Rugby Union - Ulster 26-12 Bath". BBC News.
- (2009-09-09). "Sat, Sep 19, 2009 - Ulster play the rugby but lose their way". The Irish Times.
- [http://www.ulsterrugby.com/corporate/ravenhill_development.php] {{webarchive. link. (2 October 2009)
- [http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/local/stadiums-fit-for-our-heroes-on-way-at-last-15110370.html Stadiums fit for our heroes on way at last] - Belfast Telegraph, 11/03/11
- [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-16693209 Plans for Ravenhill refurbishment are unveiled] - BBC News, 24 January 2012
- [http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestNews/TabId/149/ArtMID/793/ArticleID/1553/Ulster-Rugby-agrees-stadium-naming-rights-deal-with-Kingspan-.aspx Ulster Rugby agrees stadium naming rights deal with Kingspan] {{webarchive. link. (6 June 2014 - Ulster Rugby, 05/06/14)
- [https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/68000453 "Ulster Rugby: Kingspan to remain 'on-board' with club in 'transitionary period' until 2025"], BBC Sport, 17 January 2024
- Adam McKendry, [https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby-confirm-deal-with-leading-healthcare-provider-to-replace-kingspan-as-new-stadium-sponsor/a824125146.html "Ulster Rugby confirm deal with leading healthcare provider to replace Kingspan as new stadium sponsor"], ''Belfast Telegraph'', 3 Juy 2025
- "Six Nations 1924".
- "FIVE NATIONS - Belfast, 14 March 1925".
- "Six Nations 1926".
- "Six Nations 1928".
- "FIVE NATIONS - Belfast, 9 March 1929".
- "Six Nations 1930".
- "Six Nations 1931".
- "HOME NATIONS - Belfast, 11 March 1933".
- "Six Nations 1935".
- "Six Nations 1937".
- "Six Nations 1939".
- "Six Nations 1948".
- "FIVE NATIONS - Belfast, 11 March 1950".
- "Six Nations 1953".
- "FIVE NATIONS - Belfast, 27 February 1954".
- "Late O’Gara Try Leads Ireland To Ravenhill Win".
- "Ireland 23-20 Italy".
- "Team History Archive".
- "A solid but laboured Irish display suffices".
- "A team out of their depth".
- "Japan find Irish too hot to handle".
- "A-Plus French Far Too Good for Ireland".
- "All Blacks too strong for Ireland A".
- "Triple Joy for Ireland in Try Blitz".
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- (August 2025). "IRELAND A 5 V 32 ENGLAND SAXONS".
- (13 November 2009). "Ireland A 48-19 Tonga".
- "Ireland Wolfhounds 34-19 Scotland A".
- "Determined Wolfhounds too strong for Scotland".
- "Wolfhounds 20-11 England Saxons".
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