Dylan Watts of Shamrock Rovers in action against Ross Tierney of Bohemians at Tallaght Stadium in September. Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
The 2025 League of Ireland season will kick off with a blockbuster Dublin derby between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers at the Aviva Stadium.
Discussions between the two clubs and the FAI have been held in recent months to bring the marquee fixture at Lansdowne Road to fruition, with kick-off confirmed for Sunday, February 16 at 2pm.
Bohemians have opted to forgo home advantage for the fixture to be held at the Dublin 4 venue with tickets set to go on sale in mid-December.
The two rivals faced off at Tallaght Stadium last March with 10,094 in attendance, making it the largest League of Ireland attendance in history.
But that record is set to be broken in February when the Phibsboro and Tallaght clubs face off in this landmark fixture. The record attendance for an FAI Cup final remains at 43,881 from St Pat’s v Bohs in the 2023 decider.
“After much work between the club and the FAI, it is brilliant to now announce this historic fixture. To bring the Dublin Derby to Aviva Stadium on the 110th anniversary of the clubs’ first meeting, and on our first game of our club’s 135th anniversary,” said Bohs COO Dan Lambert upon this morning’s announcement.
“Football in the League of Ireland is in its strongest place in decades, and this game will showcase our most famous game, in our county’s best stadium.
“I wish to thank the FAI for their positive reception and engagement to the concept, and to Shamrock Rovers, in particular John Martin, for their engagement over the past number of weeks.”
Shamrock Rovers CEO John Martin said: “The game marks another positive step in the growth of the League of Ireland and showcases the clubs’ abilities to work together. We look forward to being part of such a historic occasion.”
“After a thrilling record-breaking season in 2024, we’re delighted to have a massive Dublin Derby between two of the oldest clubs in the league on the opening weekend of the 2025 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division season in what will be a brilliant showcase of the best of League of Ireland in the Aviva Stadium,” added League of Ireland director Mark Scanlon.
“We have been delighted to see attendances and fanbases rise in the league in recent years and this game will be a perfect opportunity to show the thrill, buzz and drama of the league to an even bigger audience.”
