Leinster make huge stadium switch that may be a sign of the times

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Leinster have confirmed that both of their home pool games in this season’s Investec Champions Cup will be played at the newly redeveloped Laya Arena.

The province will host Sale Sharks on Saturday, December 12, before welcoming French side Section Paloise on Saturday, January 9. Both games will kick off at 5.30pm.

It means neither home pool fixture will take place at the Aviva Stadium, with Leinster returning to their RDS home following two seasons away.

The €52 million redevelopment has increased the stadium’s capacity to 20,600, alongside a host of improvements to its matchday facilities.

The decision comes after several disappointing crowds at the Aviva in last season’s Champions Cup, with three of Leinster’s five fixtures attracting fewer than 23,000 supporters.

The pool games against Harlequins and La Rochelle drew 22,298 and 38,044 respectively.

Just 21,491 attended the round-of-16 win over Edinburgh, while the quarter-final against Sale Sharks attracted only 18,839 — fewer than the capacity of the redeveloped Laya Arena.

The semi-final against Toulon brought a healthier crowd of 38,555, although that still left plenty of empty seats at the Aviva.

Leinster have presented the move as a celebration of their return home, rather than attributing it to attendances. However, last season’s figures suggest the smaller venue could be a better fit for these pool fixtures.

Leo Cullen’s side will also face Clermont Auvergne and Leicester Tigers away from home, with ticket information for the Sale and Pau games to be confirmed in due course.

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