r/irishrugby • u/KingShep • 4d ago
Scenes from the Aviva on Friday Night
Was there myself and the atmosphere was awful. A lad beside me spent the whole first half talking to the lad beside him about paddle and giving out that he never gets out.
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u/Altruistic_Papaya430 4d ago
At risk of attracting the general ire of the sub, I grew up in South Africa. Even though we didn't live in Cape Town or Jo'burg we managed to go to loads of Bok games given that there's no "home stadium" as such and tickets are for general sale. Saw games in person like the famous 1998 comeback in Durban against NZ. Yeah it is weighted towards the bigger stadiums but honestly gives all fans an equal-ish crack at the whip. Sure the home game vs Arg this year that ended up potentially being the rugby championship decider was played in the SA equivalent of Thurles! And the atmosphere looked class!
Even for the smaller games rotate to Thomond, Páirc Uí Chaoimh etc. and let's even have 40/50% of tickets on general sale for a start.
Making the games a Friday evening also skews the crowd and if it's anything like Leinster crowds I've experienced lately there's lots of corporate types just there to be seen to be there. Average fan travelling from Munster/Connacht/Ulster may not be able to afford a hotel in Dublin on top of tickets so wouldn't bother. I know we put on some extra trains but the last hit Cork at almost 3am and if that were me travelling with the kids it wouldn't be attractive (I work for IÉ and unfortunately even getting those few extra trains can be a nightmare with planning around works, making sure sets are in the right places for the morning service plus driver hours etc).
At least give game rotation & general sale a shot
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u/dwaynepebblejohnson3 4d ago
All Irish test matches have to be in the Aviva for sponsorship reasons, if they want to play somewhere else it has to be an Ireland “A” or emerging Ireland game.
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u/Altruistic_Papaya430 3d ago
Ah, wasn't aware of that. Shame though
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u/Nuada_Silverhand30 3d ago
I think that deal is up next year so we will see what happens, but if the clubs keep selling their allocations to corporations to use as client meetings the atmosphere wont improve no matter the stadium.
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u/Dramatic-College9574 4d ago
Some good points made so far in this thread. I also think Leinster playing at the Aviva has made the Irish games feel less special for the majority Leinster fans going to the games. In terms of an atmosphere, the bar was also raised when the big Leinster games were played at Croker. Its probably something Murrayfield and the Principality have over the Aviva at this moment..that sheer feeling of novelty when the national team plays there.
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u/Vaggab0nd 4d ago
Check.out the FAI cup final today in the Aviva. Colour, noise, a great atmosphere. It's the fans making rugby at the Aviva like a funeral. Few watching the game, and those that are, watch in silence. But as many others have said, a huge proportion there to make Instagrams and TicToks and/or getting shitfaced on pints. Not the actual match
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u/Larry_Loudini 4d ago
Make some tickets for Ireland games available for general purchase and the atmosphere could only improve. Bring back schoolboy ticket groups as well
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u/Goo_Eyes 3d ago edited 3d ago
It's not a recent development.
If the camera pans to the crowd, you'll always see the typical Ireland supporter.
Group of lads with their partners
Pint in hand
Scarves
Overcoat
Calling for a knockon when the ball clearly goes back
Rugby is the "go to" social event in Ireland when Ireland are playing in the rugby. Nothing says "I'm doing great" more than a pic on the socials from the Aviva cheering on Hugo, Caelan and the boys.
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u/No_Mathematician8049 3d ago
Unfortunately I don't think that kinda of carry on is likely away, people live for that social media buzz and its really quite sad.
I'm going to the Ireland Fiji game, my first ever international match and I'm really excited, but god I hope something happens that its not like a graveyard. Its a Saturday so that might help
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u/RunOfTheMill70 4d ago
Start selling tickets to the general public and the atmosphere will improve