Croke Park stadium director Peter McKenna wants GAA to host the Champions League final.
“The capacity of 82,000 and successfully running an event like the Man United v Leeds fixture, all that would go to prove our credentials,” McKenna told The Athletic. “It would help to say ‘why not consider Dublin?’
“It is a city that gives a great atmosphere and a Champions League final in Croke Park would be fantastic.”
“I have no doubt we would get the full support of Dublin City Council, the Irish government and the FAI for such a venture,” McKenna added.
Croke Park opened its doors to soccer in 2005. Manchester United will face Leeds on August 12th in Croker, the first soccer game in the stadium since Ireland v France in 2009.
Since openings it doors to “foreign games” Croker has hosted a number of rugby events including; Ireland’s six nations matches, the European Champions Cup semi-finals and the URC final.
The stadium hosted it’s first NFL game in September last year, between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings.
To host the Champions league final, UEFA would have to license the stadium with a category four license likely. Seats would also have to be installed on Hill 16 and the Nally stand as terracing is not allowed for the Champions league final.
