A Rugby Weekend in Dublin for the Six Nations Championship

🎓 Tickets for the 2027 Six Nations Tournament

Key information in 7 points

Aviva Stadium is close to Dublin city centre: roughly 25–35 minutes on foot from central areas and around two minutes from Lansdowne Road DART station.
Both Ireland home fixtures in 2027 kick off at 8.10pm local time, including a Friday-night match. Plan to stay overnight after the game.
Reselling tickets above face value is unlawful in Ireland for designated venues such as Aviva Stadium, subject to statutory exceptions.
Stadium entry routes are colour-coded: red, green, orange, blue and purple. Check the route on your ticket before travelling.
One small bag per person, no larger than A4 dimensions (297 × 210 × 210 mm). There is no bag storage at the stadium.
Umbrellas are prohibited. Bring a waterproof jacket with a hood instead.
There is no spectator car or bicycle parking at the stadium. Road restrictions are introduced around major events.

Dublin makes a superb Six Nations rugby weekend for supporters travelling from Britain. Flights and ferries provide plenty of ways to reach Ireland, while Aviva Stadium is easy to get to by DART or on foot. The main challenges are securing a valid ticket, understanding Ireland’s stricter resale rules and planning around the 8.10pm kick-offs. This guide covers the entire weekend; for seating areas and venue details, see our Aviva Stadium guide.

Information checked: 22 September 2026. Stadium entry rules are based on Aviva Stadium guidance and Transport for Ireland. Gate-opening times and access arrangements can vary by fixture, so always follow the instructions on your ticket.

A stadium close to the city centre
2027 fixtures: two evening kick-offs
Irish ticket resale law
Travelling to Dublin from the UK
Where to stay
Getting to Aviva Stadium on matchday
The colour-coded entrances
Bags, payments and prohibited items
After the match and the next day
Frequently asked questions

A stadium close to the city centre

Aviva Stadium is in Ballsbridge, within walking distance of central Dublin. That makes it much easier to combine a rugby match with a weekend exploring the capital than at many out-of-town grounds.

Starting point	Approximate walk
Lansdowne Road DART station	2 minutes
Ballsbridge	7 minutes
Grand Canal Dock DART station	15 minutes
Merrion Square	20 minutes
Central Dublin	25–35 minutes, depending on where you start
Charlemont Luas stop (Green Line)	20 minutes

What this means for your trip: you do not necessarily have to choose between staying near the stadium and enjoying the city. The bigger question is usually accommodation cost, which can rise sharply on international rugby weekends.

2027 fixtures: two evening kick-offs

All kick-off times below are Irish local time, the same as UK time in February and March.

Ireland’s two home matches in the 2027 Six Nations are both scheduled for 8.10pm. The late starts should shape your weekend plans, especially if you are travelling from England, Scotland or Wales.

Fixture	Date	Kick-off
Ireland v England	Friday 5 February 2027	8.10pm
Ireland v France	Saturday 13 March 2027	8.10pm

Ireland v France closes the Championship on Super Saturday. For travelling supporters, it offers a full day to explore Dublin before heading to the stadium.

⚠️ What an 8.10pm kick-off means
Allow for the final whistle and the crowds before you start your journey back to your hotel. You should not rely on catching a flight or ferry to Britain that same night. The England match falls on a Friday, so you may need a day off work. Book dinner in advance or eat before the match: late-night restaurant availability can be limited when international rugby crowds fill the city.

The advantage is having most of the day free for sightseeing, lunch and pre-match drinks. You can enjoy Dublin rather than rushing directly from your arrival point to the turnstiles.

Irish ticket resale law: a crucial difference

Irish rules are particularly important for UK supporters who are used to secondary ticket marketplaces. A listing that appears on a familiar website is not automatically lawful for a match played in Dublin.

Under the Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Act 2021, in force since 31 July 2021, resale above the original face value is prohibited for events at designated venues, including Aviva Stadium. The legislation includes exemptions and specific conditions.

Possible penalties: up to €100,000 in fines or two years’ imprisonment for relevant offences.
Resale at or below face value: permitted under the statutory price rule, although the original ticket terms may still restrict transfers.
Exceptions: certain amateur sporting organisations and registered charities benefit from exemptions for fundraising activities.

⚠️ Before buying a resale ticket
A ticket offered above face value for Aviva Stadium is a serious warning sign under Irish law. Separately, a ticket transferred in breach of the organiser’s terms may be cancelled or rejected. Check the original price, the seller, the transfer method and the organiser’s rules before paying.

How to buy a legitimate ticket

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) allocates many tickets through affiliated clubs, with further opportunities potentially available to Irish Rugby Supporters Club members and through official sales channels such as Ticketmaster.ie. Availability and sales processes vary by fixture; do not assume there will be a public general sale.

Unlike Wales, Ireland does not offer an equivalent permanent official union-backed ticket exchange for Six Nations fixtures. Start with Irish Rugby’s official tickets page and consult our Six Nations ticketing information for further guidance.

Travelling to Dublin from the UK

For supporters in Great Britain, the two main options are flying or taking a ferry to Ireland. The best choice depends on where you live, how long you are staying and whether you want to bring a car, though you will not need one to get around central Dublin.

Flights: Dublin is served by flights from numerous UK airports, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Check current routes, fares and baggage rules before booking.
Ferry: sailings to Dublin operate from Holyhead. Other routes to ports in Ireland may suit some journeys, but factor in the onward journey to Dublin.
From Dublin Airport: airport coach services connect with the city centre. Allow extra time on matchdays if you are continuing towards Ballsbridge.
Local transport: a TFI Leap Card can be useful for DART, Dublin Bus and Luas journeys. The stadium is also walkable from much of the centre.
Travel documents: British citizens travelling under the Common Travel Area usually do not need a passport to enter Ireland, but carriers may have their own photo-ID requirements. Check before departure.

Book transport and accommodation early for Ireland v England in particular. Rugby weekends are predictable peaks in demand, and late arrivals can leave little margin for flight delays or ferry disruption.

Where to stay in Dublin

Area	Walk to stadium	Best for	Good to know
Ballsbridge	Around 7 minutes	Being close to the ground	Residential feel, with some popular matchday pubs
Grand Canal Dock	Around 15 minutes	A balance of stadium access and dining	Modern area with DART connections
Merrion Square / Georgian Dublin	Around 20 minutes	Walking and sightseeing	Attractive central location
City centre / Temple Bar	25–35 minutes	Pubs and nightlife	Busy and potentially noisy late into the night

💡 A useful booking tip
Rather than paying a premium to stay right beside the stadium, check hotels near DART stations such as Pearse, Grand Canal Dock and Lansdowne Road. Compare the full stay price, cancellation policy and last transport options after a late kick-off.

Getting to Aviva Stadium on matchday

Transport	Practical details	Our advice
DART	Lansdowne Road station is very close to the stadium. Services operate from stations including Connolly, Tara Street and Pearse.	✅ Convenient
Walking	Roughly 25–35 minutes from central Dublin, depending on your starting point.	✅ Often easiest
Bus	Several Dublin Bus services run towards Ballsbridge and Northumberland Road. Routes and stops can change during road closures.	✅ Check on the day
Luas	The Green Line serves Charlemont, followed by a walk of about 20 minutes.	⚠️ Less direct
Car or bicycle	No dedicated spectator car or bicycle parking at the stadium; event-related road restrictions apply.	❌ Avoid for matchday

Understanding the colour-coded entrances

Aviva Stadium uses five colour-coded routes to guide supporters to their designated entrances: red, green, orange, blue and purple. Your ticket identifies the route you should follow.

Check your colour and entrance before leaving your accommodation. Do not wait until you are in the crowd outside the stadium.
Follow the corresponding route on the way out, as advised by event stewards to reduce congestion.
Keep your mobile ticket ready and your phone charged. If your ticket is not scanning, speak to staff rather than moving to another gate.

The stadium recommends planning your route, using public transport and arriving in good time. Opening times depend on the event and ticket area; check the instructions supplied with your booking.

Bags, payments and prohibited items

The bag-size limit

Only one small bag per person is allowed, with maximum dimensions equivalent to A4: 297 mm high, 210 mm wide and 210 mm deep. Bags can be checked in an outer security screening area, including using a size gauge.

Do not assume you can compress an oversized bag. There are no left-luggage facilities at the ground, so leave large backpacks and overnight bags at your hotel.

What you cannot take into the stadium

The restricted-items list includes fireworks, flares, vuvuzelas, bottles, glass, cans, knives, flagpoles, laser devices, pushchairs and umbrellas. Camera equipment is subject to restrictions, including lenses over 70 mm under the published stadium guidance. Review the latest event rules before travelling.

⚠️ Do not bring an umbrella
Dublin weather in February and March can be wet, but umbrellas are listed as prohibited. A waterproof jacket with a hood is a far safer choice for matchday.

Aviva Stadium is cashless

Food and drink outlets use electronic payments. Bring a debit or credit card that works in Ireland; transactions are charged in euros (€), so check whether your UK bank applies foreign-transaction fees.

Where to have a pint before the match

The Bath Pub: a well-known pre-match stop close to Aviva Stadium. Arrive early for a major international.
Searsons: on Baggot Street, around 15 minutes from the stadium, with a lively rugby crowd.
The Bridge 1859: a popular Ballsbridge pub near the ground.
Toners: a traditional Dublin pub, worth considering before the match or if you are watching on television.

After the match and the following day

Use your ticket’s colour-coded route when leaving the stadium. Lansdowne Road DART station can become very busy after the final whistle. If you are staying centrally, walking may be more pleasant than joining a crowded queue, although travel times depend on your destination and the weather.

Both Irish home matches in 2027 finish late in the evening. Plan where to eat in advance: kitchens may be closing when tens of thousands of supporters leave the stadium. Allow for a late return to your hotel.

The next day is a good opportunity to see Trinity College, walk through the Georgian streets around Merrion Square or explore the River Liffey. A two-night visit is often more relaxed than trying to travel home early after a night match.

Frequently asked questions

What time do Ireland’s 2027 Six Nations home matches kick off?

Ireland v England is scheduled for Friday 5 February 2027 and Ireland v France for Saturday 13 March 2027, both at 8.10pm Irish local time, the same time as in the UK. Plan an overnight stay after either fixture.

Can I walk to Aviva Stadium from Dublin city centre?

Yes. Depending on where you start, the walk is about 25–35 minutes. Lansdowne Road DART station is only a short walk from the ground, and Grand Canal Dock is around 15 minutes away.

Is it legal to resell Six Nations tickets in Dublin?

For designated Irish venues such as Aviva Stadium, the Sale of Tickets Act 2021 prohibits resale above face value, subject to statutory exceptions. Resale at or below face value must still comply with the ticket issuer’s conditions.

How big can my bag be at Aviva Stadium?

One small bag per person is allowed, with maximum dimensions of 297 × 210 × 210 mm. Bags are checked and there are no storage facilities at the stadium.

Are umbrellas allowed at Aviva Stadium?

No. Umbrellas are on the prohibited-items list. Bring a waterproof hooded jacket instead.

What do the coloured routes on Aviva Stadium tickets mean?

The colour identifies your recommended entrance route: red, green, orange, blue or purple. Follow the route printed on your ticket when arriving and pay attention to steward instructions when leaving.

Can I park at Aviva Stadium?

There is no dedicated spectator car or bicycle parking at the stadium on matchdays. Road closures and restrictions make walking or public transport the preferred options.

How can I get tickets for Ireland’s home matches?

Start with the Irish Rugby Football Union and its announced official ticket channels. Club allocations and supporter memberships may receive priority, and public availability is not guaranteed. Avoid unauthorised resale offers, particularly those above face value.

Do UK visitors need a passport to travel to Dublin?

British citizens benefit from Common Travel Area arrangements, but airlines and ferry companies can require their own forms of identification. Check your carrier’s requirements before leaving.

Conclusion

Dublin is an excellent destination for a Six Nations weekend from the UK: a walkable capital, a stadium just moments from a DART station and plenty of places to enjoy the build-up to a major international.

The details that matter most are securing a ticket through an appropriate channel, understanding the Irish rules on resale, packing within the strict bag limit and arranging accommodation around the evening kick-off. Check the colour on your ticket, leave the umbrella at the hotel and enjoy the match.

Sources

Original research checked on 22 September 2026. Event-day rules, timetables and ticketing arrangements can change. Follow official advice and the details on your ticket.