Croke Park could be in line to host its second URC final in as many seasons if Leinster can make it all the way to the final and host.

Leinster face the Lions this weekend in the URC quarter-finals at the Aviva Stadium, and if they are victorious, they’ll face the winners of Stormers vs Cardiff. They could be in line to host the final should Glasgow Warriors fail to make the final, as they finished first ahead of Leo Cullen’s side.

Should that be the case, they may have to host the final at Croke Park, the scene of last year’s URC success over the Bulls as they won their first trophy in a few seasons on a drizzly Dublin summer day.

jordie barrett
Jordie Barrett scores during the URC Grand Final at Croke Park. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

That would have to be the case as the Aviva Stadium has already been booked for the day of the game on June 20, as Metallica are performing two concerts at the home of Irish Rugby that weekend.

Croke Park isn’t booked in at the moment, though it could play the host for either a Dublin or Meath All-Ireland Championship game, though it is believed the GAA will still accommodate the final in any case.

Leinster last played at Croke Park back in October, when Leo Cullen’s side had a day to forget as they were outclassed by Munster in front of over 50,000 fans in Leinster’s first loss at the Stadium since making their return there for the 2024 Champions Cup semi-final.

Tom Farrell
Tom Farrell. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Glasgow Warriors will also face some stadium issues should they beat an in-form Connacht side this Friday. Their usual home ground of Scotstoun is set to be used for the Commonwealth Games, so if they are successful against Stuart Lancaster’s side, they’ll play their semi-final in Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

There have also been rumblings that Glasgow could have to play a final in Belfast if they make it that far, as with Scotstoun out of action, Murrayfield hosting a concert the week before, and the big soccer stadiums in Glasgow and Edinburgh are being resurfaced/not the right dimensions to host rugby, there wouldn’t be a suitable venue for the final.

However, despite this, Murrayfield are looking likely to host a prospective final even with the concerts taking place in the stadium around that time.