Leinster have confirmed that they will play their 2024–25 Champions Cup pool games at the Aviva Stadium due to ongoing redevelopment work at the RDS.
Last year, Croke Park was used for Leinster's semi-final against Northampton, and the GAA stadium was mooted as another option to host Leinster. However, Lansdowne Road's Aviva Stadium is the preferred choice.
Leinster will play their Champions Cup pool games at the Aviva Stadium because of the redevelopment work being done at the RDS, their initial home ground.
Leo Cullen's side is set to face Clermont and Bath at home in December and January, with Aviva Stadium pencilled in as the venue.
A statement on Leinster's website read: "Leinster Rugby can this morning confirm that the Aviva Stadium will host both Investec Champions Cup pool games later this year and in January.
"Following the draw in July, Leinster are in a pool with La Rochelle, Clermont Auvergne, Bath Rugby, and Bristol Bears, with Leinster set to play Clermont and Bath at home.
Jonathan Danty of La Rochelle breaks with the ball during the Heineken Champions Cup Final match between Leinster Rugby and La Rochelle at Stade Velodrome on May 28, 2022, in Marseille, France. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images) )"With the RDS Arena unavailable for 2024/25 due to redevelopment, the Aviva Stadium will be home for the majority of Leinster Rugby's home games this season, with Croke Park also available."
Leinster go away to Ashton Gate to face Bristol on Sunday, December 8. They then welcome Clermont to the Aviva the following week, on December 14.
Leo Cullen's side will then face La Rochelle in France on January 12 and end their pool campaign with a test against Bath on January 18 at the Aviva.
The full fixture list is now as follows:
Sunday, 8 December: Bristol Bears vs. Leinster Rugby, Ashton Gate, 5.30pm
Saturday, 14 December: Leinster Rugby vs. Clermont Auvergne, Aviva Stadium, 5.30pm
Sunday, 12 January: La Rochelle vs. Leinster Rugby, Stade Marcel Deflandre, 3:15pm
Saturday, January 18: Leinster Rugby vs. Bath Rugby, Aviva Stadium, 5.30
Investec Champions Cup
- 24 elite clubs, 11 previous tournament winners, and 26 Champions Cup titles
- Four pools of six
- Four pool stage rounds, four knockout stage rounds
- Four of the highest-ranked clubs from each pool qualify for the knockout stage
- fifth-ranked club in each pool qualifies for the EPCR Challenge Cup
The 2024/25 Game Weekends:
Round 1: 6/7/8 December 2024
Round 2: 13/14/15, December 2024
Round 3: 10/11/12 January 2025
Round 4: 17/18/19 January 2025
Round of 16: 4/5/6 April 2025
Quarter-finals: 11/12/13, April 2025
Semi-finals: 2/3/4 May 2025
EPCR Challenge Cup Final: Friday, May 23, 2025, Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Investec Champions Cup Final: Saturday, May 24, 2025, Principality Stadium, Cardiff
