National Stadium (Ireland)

National Stadium
National Stadium on South Circular Road
General information
Location	National Stadium 145 South Circular Rd Dublin
Country	Ireland
Opening	1939
Owner	IABA
Other information
Seating capacity	2,000 all seated
Website
nationalstadium.ie

National Stadium (Irish: An Staidiam Náisiúnta) or National Boxing Stadium, which is located in Dublin, Ireland, is the only purpose built boxing stadium in the world. Built in 1939, National Stadium hosts over 55 days of boxing each year and a number of other events.

National Stadium was opened by Frank Aiken in 1939.

The stadium is owned by the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) and has been used by the IABA for over 60 years as the venue for their national and International contests.

Historically, the stadium was used as a music venue, regularly hosting bands such as Horslips,Genesis, Led Zeppelin,Thin Lizzy,U2,Van Morrison, and many others. On 26 February 1980, the band U2 performed a concert at this venue which was attended by executives of Island Records; at the end of the show, the label signed the band to their first recording contract.

The venue is situated between Clanbrassil Street to the east and Dolphin's Barn to the west on the South Circular Road. The stadium stages amateur and professional boxing and professional wrestling bouts as well as providing facilities for music concerts, conferences and corporate hospitality events.

The capacity of the stadium is 2,080 for music events, which is reduced to 1,954 for boxing and wrestling events to accommodate the wrestling/boxing ring. The Ringside club seats up to 400 people for parties or sit down dining but some junior boxing events also take place here.