The Premier League clubs will meet at the home of the GAA in a pre-season friendly, it has been confirmed.
10:39, 02 Apr 2026Updated 10:53, 02 Apr 2026
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Matheus Cunha of Manchester United is challenged by Anton Stach of Leeds United(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United and Leeds United will clash in a historic Croke Park friendly this summer.
The two Premier League giants – and bitter rivals – have agreed to come to Dublin to take each other on at the home of the GAA.
Ticket details have been confirmed for the first football (soccer) match to take place at the venue since the November 2009 World Cup play-off between Ireland and France.
Read on for all the details and how to get your hands on tickets for the match.
When is it taking place?
Manchester United and Leeds United will meet at Croke Park on Wednesday August 12.
What time is kick-off?
The game is down for a 7.30pm start.
When do tickets go on sale?
Pre-sale tickets are available from today (Thursday April 2).
How can I get my hands on those?
Pre-sale tickets are available to Croke Park Premium and Suite members and to Manchester United and Leeds United season ticket holders and members.
What if I don’t fall into those categories?
Don’t worry, all other fans can register their interest for general sale from today (Thursday April 2).
When does the general sale begin?
General sale opens on Friday April 10.
Have prices been announced?
Yep, tickets start at €50 for an adult and €25 for under-16s. There will be an additional booking fee.
Where can I get them?
You will have to purchase tickets via Ticketmaster. Fans are urged to register their interest here to have a better chance of securing a ticket.
When was the last soccer game at Croker?
Fresh from more World Cup play-off heartache, this goes all the way back to the 2009 decider against France, when a deflected Nicolas Anelka shot gave the visitors a narrow first-leg lead. Giovanni Trapattoni’s side famously cancelled that out through Robbie Keane in Paris, only to lose to William Gallas’s extra-time goal, which was assisted by Thierry Henry and his infamous handball.
What is the capacity of Croke Park?
While 79,000 fans attended the Ireland-France game, Croke Park is one of Europe’s largest stadiums, and 82,300 packed in to watch the NFL regular-season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings last September.
What are they saying?
Jason Wilcox (Manchester United Director of Football): “We’re excited to be heading to Dublin to face Leeds United as part of our pre-season preparations ahead of a big campaign. Playing an important fixture against one of our biggest rivals gives us a fantastic opportunity to connect with our supporters in Ireland. Their passion and energy will be invaluable as we build momentum and ensure the squad is in the strongest possible shape for the start of the 2026/27 season.”
Morrie Eisenberg (Leeds United Chief Business Officer): “We are excited at the prospect of returning to Dublin again this summer, our support in Ireland is huge which was demonstrated last year.”
Peter McKenna (Croke Park Stadium Director): “We are absolutely delighted to welcome two of football’s most iconic clubs to Croke Park for what promises to be a very special occasion. Following the success of hosting the NFL in 2025, this is another opportunity to bring world class sport to Dublin and Irish fans. We know there is a huge following for both clubs in Ireland and look forward to delivering a special experience in Croke Park Stadium.”