Connacht Rugby Celebrates Official Opening of redeveloped Dexcom Stadium
- Published on: 24 January 2026
- Last updated on: 24 January 2026
- President Catherine Connolly, Minister for Culture Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan and Charlie McConalogue, Minister of State with special responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy join Connacht Rugby in Galway to officially open Dexcom Stadium
- Connacht Rugby receives €20m in state funding under the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (‘LSSIF’)
- LSSIF-backed project delivers a stadium with a capacity for more than 12,000 fans. The project included the construction of a new all-weather playing surface, a new LED floodlighting system, construction of a new High-Performance Centre and Grandstand.
Uachtarán na hÉireann Catherine Connolly, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, and Minister of State with Responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue TD, today (24 January) welcomed the official opening of the development of Dexcom Stadium, a major sporting venue and home to Connacht Rugby.
The stadium development received an allocation of €20 million in Government funding through the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The development delivers a stadium with capacity for more than 12,000 fans. The project included the construction of a new all-weather playing surface, a new LED floodlighting system, construction of a new High-Performance Centre and the new Clan Stand. This high-quality facility will support elite rugby, enhance the matchday experience for supporters and provide lasting benefits to the local community.
President Connolly said:
Sport lies in the heart of our communities, inspiring players, coaches and fans and providing collective moments of joy and excitement. Connacht Rugby plays an important part in the life of Galway city, the county, and indeed the whole province. With the new Clan Stand, Connacht will be able to welcome more fans to every home game, growing their support and building for the future. May I wish them many joyous days and nights in this newly redeveloped stadium, where I hope that the growing Connacht fanbase can experience many more moments like their Pro 12 League Championship ten years ago this year in 2016.
Speaking at the opening Minister O’Donovan said:
The opening of Dexcom Stadium represents a significant milestone for Connacht Rugby and for sport in the West of Ireland. This project demonstrated the Government’s commitment to investing in high-quality sporting infrastructure that delivers lasting benefits to the community. I am delighted that my Department was in a position to provide funding for this outstanding project. This large-scale investment highlights my Department’s and Government’s commitment to investing in sport as we are fully aware of the benefits that can be realised when we invest in our people. This facility serves the entire Connacht community as much as it supports the players.
Minister of State McConalogue added:
The redevelopment shows the positive impact of targeted investment in sports infrastructure, strengthen participation and supporting balanced regional development This is our largest capital investment to date in LSSIF and the Department is proud to have supported this transformative project. I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Connacht Rugby and the IRFU in delivering a facility that will benefit players, coaches and communities for years to come.
ENDS
Notes to Editor
Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF):
The aim of the Large-Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects. These are projects where the Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the Community Sports Facility Fund (CSFF). In some cases, these may be projects where the primary objective will be to increase active participation in sport. In other cases, these may be large scale venues/stadia where the focus is more related to social participation and high-performance sport.
Since its inception the LSSIF has allocated approximately €297 million, with funding awarded to 68 large-scale projects.
Project Briefing:
- Connacht Rugby was awarded €20,000,000 under LSSIF 2018 in respect of capital funding.
- The project delivers a 12,000-capacity stadium alongside a new High-Performance Centre. The redevelopment can be summarised in three distinct phases:
- Phase 1 - The construction of a new all-weather playing surface; a new LED floodlighting system; and other enabling works were completed in 2022.
- Phase 2A - Construction of a High-Performance Centre. The High-Performance Centre includes athlete & coaching facilities; medical facilities; analysis rooms; administrative offices and an indoor pitch with ancillary site works, services, access and parking. Construction commenced in March 2024 and was completed in April 2025.
- Phase 2B - Replacement of the existing Clan Stand with a new North Stand and all associated site works. (commenced in June 2024 and was completed in January 2026)
- In January 2024 Connacht Rugby made an announcement that the Stadium would be renamed Dexcom Stadium following the signing of a 12-year naming rights agreement with Dexcom.