Connacht Rugby reveal new name for revamped north stand

Connacht Rugby have announced the new name of the refurbished North Stand, aptly called ‘The Clan Stand’ in homage to the club’s past, present and future.

Originally constructed in 2011, the stand’s redevelopment began in May 2022 and, once opened in January 2026, will be capable of housing over 6,500 fans, almost tripling its original capacity, as well as hosting state-of-the art new facilities.

According to Connacht Rugby CEO, Willie Ruane, the new name was chosen to “acknowledge the history and memories that have gone before now and ensure it remains a special place for generations to come”.

When completed this December, the stand’s renovations will be the final of many brought to Dexcom Stadium over the past few years, including a high-performance centre and indoor training pitch.

“The development of Dexcom Stadium, with our new High-Performance Centre and what is now the new Clan Stand, represents another significant milestone for Connacht Rugby and more widely, for our province.

“We greatly look forward to opening the doors of the new Clan Stand in the coming months, and in doing so mark the start of a new era for the club and indeed the province,” Ruane said.

The club has reported that the new stand will cater for 1,600 terraced supporters, over 4,000 seated fans and just over 800 hospitality spaces.

Alongside these developments, ‘The Clan Stand’ will also contain:

• 10 bars and food outlets;
• Coffee shop which will be open six days a week;
• Special ‘Tunnel Club’- a hospitality experience with a private bar, allowing fans to look directly into the players’ tunnel;
• Sensory Room;
• Improved access and entry systems to reduce queues, improve circulation and enhance overall fan comfort on matchdays.

However, ‘The Clan Stand’s’, first game will have to wait until 2026, with its debut coming against inter-provincial rivals Leinster on January 24.

Meanwhile, Connacht Rugby are currently four games into the reign of former racing 92 and England coach, Stuart Lancaster’s tenure as head coach.

Connacht have struggled from the start this season and are currently sitting 12th in the United Rugby Championship (URC) after three successive losses to Cardiff, Bulls and high-flying Munster.

Lancaster’s men can nonetheless take some solace in the fact these three losses all came within a try of flipping the result.

With plenty of time and a new stand on the horizon, Connacht Rugby will be hoping the club’s additional infrastructural support can help boost the westerner’s morale come it’s January debut.