RDS arena to be redeveloped

THE Royal Dublin Society (RDS) and Leinster Rugby announced the launch of an international architectural design competition recently as the first step in the redevelopment of the RDS arena.

Home to both Leinster Rugby and the Dublin Horse Show, this is the first architectural competition of its kind for a sports stadium in Ireland.

The competition will be to design a multi-purpose world class arena that will increase the stadium capacity from 18,500 to 25,000.

The architectural design competition will be administered by the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland (RIAI) on a two stage basis and will be adjudicated by a five person jury.

Michael Duffy, Chief Executive of the RDS said:

“The RDS has been home to Leinster Rugby since 2007 and we are delighted to move on to the next stage of our relationship with them, which is to collaborate on a new stadium development from which both parties will benefit.

“The RDS is already on a world stage as an equestrian and now rugby venue and our ambition is for a world leading stadium with facilities on a par with the best anywhere.

“It is for this reason that we have decided to launch this open competition and to seek design ideas from the best in the world.

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