Potential URC final host venues confirmed including 80,000+ capacity mega stadium
Croke Park during a Leinster Champions Cup match.
The United Rugby Championship have now announced the potential venues for the competition’s third Grand Final on Saturday, June 22.
This weekend’s semi-finals see Munster host the Glasgow Warriors while Leinster have made the trip to South Africa to tackle the Bulls on the highveld.
With the highest-ranked finalist given the luxury of hosting the final, the URC have confirmed the possible venues.
URC Final venues
There were fears that the Bulls would not be able to host the final at their iconic ground had they reached the final as the presidential inauguration could be taking place on the same day and at the venue.
However, that has proven not to be the case as the URC have confirmed that Loftus Versfeld as a possible host for the showpiece event.
The Bulls would need to beat Leinster and Glasgow claim a win over Munster in order to host the final in Pretoria.
Meanwhile, Leinster could return to Croke Park for the second time this season if they defeat the Bulls and Glasgow overcome Munster. Leo Cullen’s charges hosted Northampton Saints in the Investec Champions Cup semi-finals and have nominated the venue as their home ground in the case that they are the highest-ranked finalist.
The Warriors are unable to host a final regardless of the result in Pretoria, as they are the fourth-seeded team in the semi-finals.
However, if defending champions Munster do defeat Glasgow, they will host the final at Thomond Park, having finished the regular season on top of the table.
The kick-off time for the final will be announced once the finalists has been confirmed.
Semi-final rankings: (1) Munster; (2) Vodacom Bulls; (3) Leinster; (4) Glasgow Warriors.
Potential venues
Munster Rugby – Thomond Park
Location: Limerick, Ireland
Capacity: 25,600
Opened: 1934 (redeveloped in 2007)
Previous finals: 2011 Magners League (Munster v Leinster)
Bulls – Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Location: Tshwane, South Africa
Capacity: 50,000
Opened: 1923 (expanded in 1977, 1984, 1988 and then renovated in 2009 for the Soccer World Cup).
Previous finals: None. Hosted 2009 Super 14 Final.
Leinster Rugby – Croke Park
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Capacity: 82,300
Opened: 1884 (redeveloped in 2004)
Previous finals: None. Hosted 6 Nations and European Cup games
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