For generations, Irish stadia told a familiar story: concrete terraces, exposed stands, basic amenities and facilities designed almost exclusively for male audiences. From GAA grounds to football and rugby venues, the matchday experience often meant braving the elements, queuing for limited refreshments, and facilities that belonged to another era. For a country less than a century old, the standard of many stadiums lagged far behind comparable nations, reflecting limited investment, changing priorities and a long-standing assumption that sport alone was enough to draw crowds.
That assumption no longer holds and Dexcom Stadium is a role model in this regard. Irish sports fans have changed, and so too have their expectations. Families, women, corporate audiences and international visitors now form a central part of the crowd. They expect comfort, accessibility, inclusivity and value for money. The days of peeing against a wall and warming cold hands on a cup of Bovril are fading fast. Sport remains at the heart of the experience, but it must now be supported by facilities that reflect modern Ireland.
Historically, many GAA stadia were built with a singular purpose: accommodate large crowds on championship days. Outside of those peak moments, they lay dormant, offering little to their communities or counties. Even recent assessments have highlighted how far behind Ireland had fallen. When proposals were submitted as part of the Euro 2028 bid process, it emerged that even the newest GAA stadium in the country did not meet the standards required to provide players and supporters with a best-in-class sporting experience. It was a stark reminder that incremental upgrades were no longer enough.
Yet change is underway. Across the country, stadium design is being rethought from the ground up. While costs still run into many millions, what those investments now deliver is fundamentally different: multi-purpose, inclusive, future-proofed venues capable of serving their communities 365 days a year. Thomond Park’s redevelopment, McHale Park’s upgrades, Tallaght Stadium, new stand at the RDS, and new or enhanced stands in places like Tuam all point to a broader shift in mindset. Galway, in particular, has embraced this demand for better facilities, recognising that modern stadia are not luxuries but essential civic assets.
At the heart of this transformation is the concept of the “365 stadium”. No longer viewed as matchday-only facilities, the most successful venues are becoming dynamic hubs for business, culture and community life. Conferences, exhibitions, concerts, corporate hospitality, education programmes and local events now sit comfortably alongside elite sport. This diversification is not simply about generating additional revenue; it is about relevance. Stadiums must justify their footprint and investment by delivering value every day, not just when a ball is thrown in.
Achieving this requires a fundamental rethink. Stadiums must be designed to transition seamlessly between uses without losing their sporting soul. A hospitality suite on matchday might become a conference venue midweek. A players’ facility might double as a high-performance or community space. This demands careful consideration of acoustics, lighting, furniture and layout. Lighting systems must shift from the drama of matchday to the focus of a business presentation at the touch of a button. Furniture must be modular, robust and elegant. Acoustic solutions must balance crowd noise with clarity for meetings and events.
Technology plays a crucial role. Intelligent lighting, integrated audio-visual systems, smart booking platforms and digital wayfinding are becoming the invisible engines that allow modern stadia to adapt effortlessly. The best venues embed flexibility into their very DNA, ensuring that technology is not an afterthought but the foundation of how the stadium operates.
Equally important is community connection. The most successful Irish stadia of the future will be those that feel rooted in place and Dexcom excels in this regard. It's lights beaming out over the city. This means celebrating local identity through materials, design cues and partnerships with regional suppliers. It also means opening doors beyond sport, providing spaces for education, enterprise and social engagement. In doing so, stadiums become shared assets rather than occasional destinations.
Sustainability underpins much of this change. A stadium that operates year-round creates employment beyond matchday, supports local economies and reduces the need for separate commercial developments. Smart material choices, energy-efficient systems and long-term adaptability ensure these venues are built not just for today’s needs, but for future generations.
Ireland’s stadia are finally catching up with the people they serve. The shift away from antiquated, male-only environments towards inclusive, flexible and community-focused venues reflects broader social change. As expectations continue to rise, the stadiums that thrive will be those that recognise sport as the heartbeat — but not the only purpose — of a modern Irish venue.
