Croke Park Matchday Guide: Everything to Know for the Big Summer Championship Days

When the big days are

Since the split season came in, Croke Park’s biggest days fall in May, June and July. Leinster finals come first. Then the All-Ireland football quarter-finals in late June, the hurling and football semi-finals over the first two weekends of July, and the two finals a week apart. In 2026 the hurling final was on 19 July and the football final on 26 July, both at 3.30pm.

Most weekends are double-headers, so the first game might be a Tailteann Cup, junior or camogie fixture. One ticket covers both. Turnstile times are on your ticket.

Before and after the match: where fans meet

The pubs closest to the ground are packed two hours before throw-in. Choose one on your own stand’s route so you’re not crossing the crowds twice. Tap a stand to see where to go.

Hogan Stand & Davin StandComing from the city along the North Circular RoadPhil Ryan’s The Hogan Stand · The Big Tree

Phil Ryan’s The Hogan Stand (512–514 North Circular Road) has the right name and it’s on the right road. From here it’s a short walk up Russell Street to the Hogan turnstiles, or along to St Margaret’s Avenue for the Davin.

The Big Tree, on the corner of Dorset Street Lower and the North Circular Road, is handy if you’re walking up from O’Connell Street. It tends to open when there’s something on at Croke Park.

Hill 16 & Nally TerraceComing from Drumcondra station or the M1Kennedy’s · Fagan’s

Kennedy’s (132 Drumcondra Road Lower) and Fagan’s (Drumcondra Road Lower) are both a few minutes from Drumcondra station and both serve food. From either one it’s straight down Clonliffe Road to the Hill and Nally entrances.

Cusack Stand & Hill 16 (east side)Coming from Connolly, Busáras or FairviewClonliffe House

Clonliffe House (44 Ballybough Road) is the meeting point on the east side. It’s minutes from the Cusack entrances and close to where Clonliffe Road meets Ballybough Road, the drop-off point for Hill 16.

Not got a ticket? Our guide to the best pubs to watch GAA in Dublin lists the city pubs that show every game.

Croke Park matchday guide: know your stand

Picture the pitch running north to south. The Hogan Stand runs along Jones’ Road on the west side. The Cusack Stand faces it on the east side. The Davin Stand is the Canal End to the south, nearest the city. Hill 16 is the terrace at the northern end, backing onto the railway and Clonliffe Road. Your ticket gives your entry route. Follow it, because the Garda cordon controls which streets you can use.

Hogan StandEntry from Jones’ RoadWhere the cups are presented

The main stand, and the one the winning captain climbs to lift the cup. You can reach it two ways: down Jones’ Road from Clonliffe Road, or up Russell Street from the North Circular Road. Croke Park says the Russell Street route is shorter. In the afternoon it has its back to the sun.

Cusack StandEntry from St Joseph’s Avenue, off Clonliffe RoadFaces the afternoon sun

The Cusack looks across at the Hogan, so on a bright July afternoon the sun comes straight at you. Bring sunglasses and sun cream. Wheelchair users with public-level tickets for any stand go in through the A2 gate at the Cusack turnstiles.

Davin Stand (Canal End)Entry from St Margaret’s Avenue, off the North Circular RoadNearest the city centre

The shortest walk from O’Connell Street. If anyone in your group struggles with steps, note that Croke Park says the Davin has no ramps or lifts.

Hill 16 & the Nally TerraceHill via St Joseph’s Avenue · Nally via Clonliffe RoadStanding only, no roof

The famous terrace. It’s standing only and open to the weather, so dress for rain or sun. The Hill has three sections: Hill A on the Cusack side, Hill B behind the goal, and the Nally Terrace on the Hogan side. When Dublin are playing, the Hill is a sea of sky blue. For other games it’s usually the cheapest ticket in the ground.

Upper tier or lower tier?

Upper tiers show you the whole pitch and how the teams are set up, but they’re steep. Croke Park advises anyone with vertigo to book the lower tier. Lifts are limited, so expect stairs and ramps, and allow an extra 10 minutes.

Lower tiers put you closer to the play and get you out quicker at the end. The front rows catch any rain blowing in, and umbrellas can’t go up inside, so bring a rain jacket.

Getting there from around the country

By train. Coming from Cork, Limerick, Kerry, Galway or the south-east, you’ll arrive at Heuston. The Luas Red Line runs directly from Heuston to Connolly, and the Connolly stop is about 16 minutes’ walk from the stadium. Trains on the Maynooth and Sligo line stop at Drumcondra, the closest station to Croke Park. Irish Rail adds extra capacity on big days. Anyone coming in from the north or by DART arrives at Connolly, a 15–20-minute walk away.

By supporters’ bus. Mountjoy Square was the traditional drop-off point, but Croke Park now says it is no longer available for coach parking. Coaches also can’t drop off or pick up on the main roads around the stadium. Croke Park names Western Way, off the Phibsborough Road, as its nearest coach park, but for the 2026 football final Gardaí said no coach drop-off or parking would be provided near the stadium at all. Ask your operator exactly where you’ll be set down and collected.

By car. On-street parking is very limited and illegally parked cars get clamped. For finals, road closures start from 9am. The less stressful option is to park at a station on the Maynooth line and take the train to Drumcondra. Or use one of the city-centre car parks that Croke Park lists with match-day rates, then walk up.

Taxis. Forget it after the final whistle. It’s everyone for themselves.

After the final whistle

Public transport after a big game is very hard to get. The queue outside Drumcondra station often wraps around the outside of the building. If you can, it’s often better to walk back to Connolly if you’re heading west. If you need to leave from Heuston, book a train that gives you plenty of time to get there.

What to bring to the stadium (and what to leave at home)

• 01One small bag, or noneA4 size at most. No backpacks, and nowhere to leave one. Croke Park recommends bringing no bag at all to avoid the search queues.
• 02Rain gear, not an umbrellaSmall umbrellas that fit in an A4 bag are allowed, but you can’t put them up inside. Golf umbrellas are banned.
• 03Your own food and waterFood is fine. Drinks must be in sealed plastic bottles of 500ml or less. Reusable bottles must be empty, and there are water fountains inside. No cans and no alcohol.
• 04Card (and ID)Croke Park is largely cashless: most food and bar tills take card or phone payments only, though a few still take cash. Bars need a physical passport, driving licence or Age Card, and drinks stay on the concourse.
• 05TimeArrive at least an hour before throw-in. There’s no re-entry, so once you’re in, you stay in.
• 06A ticket for everyoneBabies and children need a ticket too. Download yours before you leave home.

Food units on every concourse have vegan options and allergen information. Public-level bars close at half-time of the last game.

Not just GAA

Croke Park also hosts big concerts, boxing and American football. The rules aren’t always the same as on GAA days. The 2025 NFL game, for example, had a clear-bag policy. Check the event’s own information before you travel.

On a day with no match: the museum and tours

The GAA Museum sits under the Cusack Stand, and the stadium tour and Skyline rooftop walk run from there. Book them for a day with no match on.

Croke Park matchday FAQs

What’s the nearest train station to Croke Park?

Drumcondra, on the Maynooth commuter line. It’s about 10 minutes’ walk to most turnstiles. Connolly, for the DART, Luas Red Line and intercity trains, is a 15–20-minute walk.

Can I bring a bag into Croke Park?

Only a small one, A4 size at most, and it may be searched. Backpacks and large bags aren’t allowed, and there’s no bag drop or cloakroom. Medical and baby bags are permitted.

What time do the gates open?

Turnstile times are printed on your ticket and posted on Croke Park’s social channels. For the 2026 football final (3.30pm throw-in) they opened at 1pm. Aim to be there at least an hour before your game.

Further reading

• Best pubs to watch GAA in DublinNo ticket? Where to watch every Championship game in the city.
• Aviva Stadium matchday guideGetting to Lansdowne Road, stands and getting home for rugby and football.
• Best rugby pubs in DublinThe city’s best spots for Six Nations and Leinster days.
• GAA betting guideHow betting on hurling and football works, explained plainly. 18+.