Manchester United will face Leeds United in a high-profile pre-season fixture at Croke Park in Dublin this August, marking a major addition to the Irish summer sporting calendar.
The game will kick off at 19:30 on Wednesday, August 12th, bringing one of English football’s most storied rivalries to Ireland for the first time. Tickets will go on pre-sale from today, ahead of general release on April 10th via Ticketmaster.
Pricing begins at €50 for adults and €25 for under-16s, with strong demand anticipated given the scale of both clubs’ Irish fanbases. Pre-sale access will be available to Croke Park Premium and Suite members, as well as season ticket holders and members of both clubs.
Return of Elite Football to Croke Park
The fixture will be the first football match staged at the Stadium since November 2009, when Ireland faced France in a FIFA World Cup play-off in front of a capacity crowd.
With a capacity of over 82,000, Croke Park has increasingly positioned itself as a multi-sport and entertainment venue, highlighted by hosting an NFL regular-season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings in 2025, alongside major rugby fixtures and global concert tours.
The August fixture, sanctioned by the FAI, is expected to sell out and further reinforce Dublin’s appeal as a destination for premium international sporting events.
Commercial and Cultural Significance
The match taps into deep historical and cultural ties between both clubs and Ireland. Manchester United legends including Roy Keane, Denis Irwin, John O’Shea and Frank Stapleton have all enjoyed strong connections with Irish fans, while Leeds United icons Gary Kelly and Ian Harte also left lasting legacies. Johnny Giles notably represented both clubs during his career.
Jason Wilcox, Manchester United Director of Football, said the fixture presents “a fantastic opportunity to connect with our supporters in Ireland,” while also serving as key preparation ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Leeds United Chief Business Officer Morrie Eisenberg highlighted the strength of the club’s Irish support, noting the game as both a commercial opportunity and an important part of pre-season planning.
Peter McKenna, Stadium Director at Croke Park, added that hosting the fixture builds on the momentum generated by recent major events, describing it as another chance to “bring world-class sport to Dublin and Irish fans.”
Broader Strategic Impact
The announcement reinforces Ireland’s growing role in attracting major international sporting properties, supported by infrastructure, diaspora connections, and proven demand.
In addition to the match, Manchester United’s first team will also travel to Dublin for a training camp from April 6th to 9th, further strengthening ties with the Irish market.
Image Credit: TEG
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