File:The redevelopment of Lansdowne Road Stadium (3776776062).jpg

The redevelopment plan for Lansdowne Road Stadium envisaged the creation of a modern stadium, which, on completion, would have an all seated capacity of 50,000.

The 50,000 compared with the former Lansdowne Road Stadium which had an all seated capacity, as required for competitive Soccer, of 36,000 and a mixed standing and seated capacity of 49,000 for Rugby.

All seating in the new stadium is under cover of a roof; however, the roof does not extend over the pitch. The stadium consists of a continuous curvilinear shaped stand enclosing all four sides of the ground. The South, East and West stands have four tiers of seating for spectators.

The bottom and top tiers provide the main volume of spectating facilities. The second tier provides facilities for premium ticket holders and the third tier provides facilities for corporate boxes. There are 10,000 seats at premium level and a further 1,300 at box level. Many of these were sold in advance to help finance the overall project.

The North stand comprises one low level seating tier, to reflect its proximity to the residential properties at that end of the ground. There is continuous access around the three sides to all facilities at premium and box levels.

There are excellent hospitality facilities throughout the ground. These facilities are essential in any modern sports stadium to generate additional revenues and help fund the overall investment.

The redeveloped stadium is designed to provide superb facilities not alone for spectators but also for players, the media and the many support personnel needed to stage all events.

The unique design of the new stands and roof creates additional weather protected seating capacity within the constraints of the existing site. The design has been optimised to ensure all spectators have an excellent view of the pitch while retaining the unique Lansdowne Road atmosphere. Space for the redevelopment was created by a realignment of the pitch and by the creation of a new access podium over the railway line. This podium, above the railway line, will allow spectators access the stadium at premium seat level.

The former two rear pitches which ran East-West were also realigned and combined into one pitch running North-South. Among the many other features of the new development are: A more balanced, across the board network of access and egress routes which make it easier and more convenient for spectators to get to and leave the stadium relieving congestion on adjoining neighbours. These include underpasses which allow the level crossing gates for the Dart to be left permanently closed on match days.

Improved player facilities for home and away teams, custom designed to meet the requirements of the various codes. These include warm up rooms and state-of-the-art treatment facilities.

Enhanced press facilities for 200 journalists (increasing to 400 for certain events) including TV monitors, interview rooms and all modern connectivity requirements.

TV / Radio commentary boxes located on the upper level with optimum viewing locations and easy access to flash interview positions, backed up by a generous outside broadcasting vehicle area.

Provision of a large number of high quality toilets adequate both for match days and for events such as concerts where there may be a different mix of spectators.

Quality medical support facilities for both players and spectators. Better facilities for disabled fans.

Wide concourses and comfortable spatial allowances to ensure easy circulation for spectators.

An architectural theme that is exciting and innovative in harmony with the surrounding cityscape.

Clear delineation between spectator and service areas ensuring that service and / or emergency vehicles need never compete with spectators for the same space.

A hi-tech communications nerve centre to allow for continuous monitoring of all aspects of the stadium, both inside and outside the ground. Pitch floodlighting incorporated in the new stands.