Affidea Stadium - Home of Ulster Rugby, Belfast

Affidea Stadium, historically and affectionately known as Ravenhill, is the legendary home of Ulster Rugby. Located at 85 Ravenhill Park in South Belfast (BT6), this 18,196-capacity stadium has been a cornerstone of Northern Irish rugby since 1923. Owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), the venue was redeveloped in two major phases between 2009 and 2014 at a total cost of approximately £20 million, transforming the historic ground into a modern stadium with four new stands (Premium 2009; Family, Memorial, and Main 2012-14) while preserving its intimate atmosphere. The stadium was renamed Affidea Stadium in July 2025 under a new long-term naming rights partnership with European healthcare provider Affidea, replacing the previous Kingspan Stadium naming deal (2014-2025). The venue is internationally renowned for its intense, intimidating Friday night atmosphere when the floodlights illuminate the ground and the crowd is in full voice — particularly during European Champions Cup nights and URC inter-provincial derbies against Leinster, Munster and Connacht. Beyond Ulster Rugby fixtures, Affidea Stadium has hosted two 2015 Rugby World Cup men's matches, multiple Ireland national rugby internationals, the 2015 Pro12 Grand Final, and most of the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup including the Final, when New Zealand defeated England 41-32.

Up until the 1920s, Ulster and Ireland played their home rugby fixtures at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society grounds in Belfast. Ravenhill Stadium opened in 1923 on land owned by the IRFU, with the first competitive match played on 12 January 1924 — Ulster defeating Leinster 14-6. The ground quickly established itself as the home of Ulster rugby and a key Irish international venue, hosting Ireland's home match against England in 1924 and several Five Nations matches throughout the 1920s. During World War II, the stadium temporarily hosted American military sports including baseball. The eastern grandstand built in the 1920s remarkably survived until 2013 — a testament to the original construction quality. Modernisation began in 2009 when a new £5.5 million Premium Stand was constructed on the east side, replacing old terracing and providing 20 skyboxes and 532 premium seats. The deal was funded through a combination of public-sector funding, premium ticket pre-sales, and IRFU loans. In 2011, the Northern Ireland Executive announced £138 million in stadium redevelopment funding for the region, of which Ulster Rugby received £14.5 million. This enabled the major 2012-2014 redevelopment that built three new stands: the Family Stand and Memorial Stand at the Memorial and Aquinas ends, and a completely demolished and rebuilt Main Stand on the west side which incorporated Ulster's professional training base. The new Main Stand opened in time for the 2014 Heineken Cup quarter-final against Saracens on 5 April 2014, expanding capacity from 12,000 to 18,196. On 5 June 2014 Ulster signed a 10-year naming rights deal with the Kingspan Group; this was extended by one year and replaced in July 2025 by a new long-term partnership with healthcare provider Affidea, ushering in the venue's current era as Affidea Stadium.

Affidea Stadium has earned a fierce reputation as one of the most intimidating away grounds in the URC. The stadium is renowned for its Friday night fixture atmosphere — with floodlights blazing and a packed home crowd in full voice — particularly during European Champions Cup nights and Irish inter-provincial derbies against Leinster, Munster and Connacht. The compact, intimate bowl puts spectators close to the action on all four sides, generating impressive acoustics under the modern stands. Ulster supporters are known for their passionate, knowledgeable support, with the singing of "Stand Up for the Ulstermen" before kick-off having become one of the iconic moments of an Affidea Stadium matchday. The stadium operates a strict but family-friendly atmosphere — there is zero tolerance for drunkenness, smoking or bad language, and at certain moments during the match silence is requested. This combination of fierce competitive support with strong family values has helped earn Affidea Stadium its reputation as one of the top rugby grounds in the UK and Ireland.

Affidea Stadium does not currently offer a regularly scheduled public stadium tour programme, but bespoke group tours and behind-the-scenes experiences can be arranged via Ulster Rugby's Facilities & Events team. These private tours are typically organised for school groups, corporate clients, supporter clubs and community organisations, with access to areas not normally open to the public including the home dressing room, players' tunnel, press room and pitchside. Tours are tailored to group requirements and pricing is provided on request based on group size and content. Tours run subject to availability typically Monday to Friday outside of fixture and event schedules. Contact the Main Stadium Office on +44 28 9049 4600 or the Ulster Rugby website (ulster.rugby/stadium/facilities-events) to enquire.

While Affidea Stadium does not have a dedicated permanent museum within the venue, the stadium features a vibrant Fan Zone celebrating the heritage of Ulster Rugby and Northern Irish rugby. Historic memorabilia, photographs, and trophies are displayed throughout the hospitality and concourse areas, with the stadium itself functioning as a living monument to over 100 years of Ulster rugby history. The official Ulster Rugby shop on-site (with a satellite store at Podium approximately a mile away) stocks merchandise, jerseys, and historic items. Ulster Rugby occasionally hosts heritage events and player legends nights at the stadium showcasing memorable moments from the club's European Cup-winning 1999 campaign and beyond.