Croke Park is a stadium in the north side of Dublin that hosts a variety of sporting events and concerts. The 82,000-seat stadium is well worth a visit—if you can get a ticket. Croke Park tickets often sell out quickly, especially for the top events. If you happen to be in town for the hurling championship or a 6 Nations Rugby game, it will be difficult to get tickets last-minute unless you are willing to pay a premium price. Your best bet for having a great Croke Park Stadium experience is to book tickets ahead of time and arrive early to enjoy the atmosphere; you can even stay at the Croke Park Hotel if you want to be close to the site throughout your trip to Dublin

There are a variety of events at Croke Park. For more than 100 years athletes have entertained Irish fans with a few different sports. The Gaelic games including hurling, camogie, and Gaelic football are played at Croke Park, as well as some rugby and soccer games, though those two sports are primarily played at a different stadium in Dublin, called Lansdowne Road. When this stadium underwent renovations in 2005, rugby and soccer were played in Croke Park Stadium, which is primarily known as the home of Gaelic sports. As of 2010, Lansdowne Road, with a new name of Aviva Stadium, will again host rugby and soccer.

Croke Park tickets will give you a glimpse into a side of Irish life that many people don’t even know exist. The Gaelic games are intense, fast-paced, and fun to watch, whether you have any clue what the rules are or not. Croke Park stadium is also home to big concerts. If you aren’t a big sports fan, purchase tickets for one of the international music acts that play at the stadium. If you’re lucky, the famous Irish band U2 might be playing a concert while you’re in town; many people travel to Dublin just to see the rock stars play a concert in their hometown.

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Croke Park has also played a significant role in Dublin history. This stadium is the famous site where in 1920 the British army fired on the crowd during a match. The event became known as Bloody Sunday; many were killed during this raid, and it was an especially dark period for sport in Ireland. Today, the Gaelic games continue to be played at Croke Park and tickets are reasonably priced. If you happen to be in town for a regular match, and not the all-Ireland hurling final, for example, you should be able to secure affordable tickets. Pubs around the stadium are known for their atmosphere, so it’s always entertaining to arrive early and grab a pint or two before the match.

Croke Park tickets can often be bought on the day of the match outside the stadium. Be sure to arrive at least an hour before the match if this is your intention. Look online before you head for the stadium and be aware of the value of the tickets. If you look and sound like a foreigner, people selling tickets may try and up the price to make a quick buck. But if you go informed, you will be able to enjoy the match without a problem. If you have a particular interest in the stadium, tours are also available. Hours and tour times vary depending on the season, so be sure to check ahead to confirm the times for your one-hour tour. A true Dublin landmark, Croke Park is worth your time to explore.