List of non-Gaelic games played in Croke Park

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The following is a list of non-Gaelic games played at Croke Park (formerly Jones's Road). The Gaelic Athletic Association formerly prohibited the playing of foreign sports at GAA-owned stadiums under Rule 42 of its rule book.

Grounds controlled by Association units shall not be used or permitted to be used, for horse racing, greyhound racing, or for field games other than those sanctioned by Central Council.[1]

Rule 42, GAA rule book

A rugby union match taking place at Croke Park during the 2007 Six Nations Championship

While this wording remains as the current Rule 5.1(b), a footnote now reads:

(Note: Central Council shall have the power to authorise the use of Croke Park for games other than those controlled by the Association.)[2]

Rule 5.1(b), Official Guide

In practice the rule was only applied to the sports of football and rugby, which were perceived to be rivals to the playing of Gaelic games.[3] Cricket was also banned, but Croke Park is too small for a cricket field. As such, several games of American football have been played with rule 42 in force, as well as a boxing match and a baseball game. The rule was officially relaxed in 2005 for the duration of the reconstruction of Lansdowne Road, to allow for the playing of Republic of Ireland football and Irish rugby internationals.[4] The Republic of Ireland football and Ireland rugby internationals moved into the new Aviva Stadium on the former Lansdowne Road site upon its opening in May 2010; the last international in either sport at Croke Park was the rugby team's 2010 Six Nations home fixture with Scotland on 20 March.

On 17 June 2010 the Australia national cricket team had a training session in Croke Park ahead of their One Day International against Ireland.[5]

American football

More information Date, Competition ...
DateCompetitionTeamsScoreNotesAttendanceRef
1946Exhibition gameAmerican servicemen returning from World War II
21 November 1953US Air Force LeagueBurtonwood Bullets vs. Wethersfield Raiders27–0USAFE teams based in the UK, playing to raise funds for the Irish Red Cross.est. 40,000[6][7]
2 November 1996Shamrock ClassicNotre Dame vs. Navy54–2738,651[8][9]
27 July 1997American BowlPittsburgh Steelers vs. Chicago Bears30–1730,269[10][11][12]
30 August 2014Croke Park ClassicPenn State vs. UCF26–2453,304[13]
28 September 2025NFL International SeriesPittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings24–21First regular season NFL game in Ireland74,512[14]
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Association football (soccer)

More information Date, Competition ...
DateCompetitionTeamsScoreAttendanceNotesRef
24 March 2007European Championship Qualifier Republic of Ireland vs. Wales 1–072,539First international goal scored at Croke Park by Stephen Ireland.[15]
28 March 2007European Championship Qualifier Republic of Ireland vs. Slovakia 1–071,297[16]
13 October 2007European Championship Qualifier Republic of Ireland vs. Germany 0–067,495[17]
17 October 2007European Championship Qualifier Republic of Ireland vs. Cyprus 1–145,500[18]
6 February 2008Friendly Republic of Ireland vs. Brazil 0–170,000[19]
24 May 2008Friendly Republic of Ireland vs. Serbia 1–142,500[20]
15 October 2008World Cup Qualifier Republic of Ireland vs. Cyprus 1–055,833[21]
19 November 2008Friendly Republic of Ireland vs. Poland 2–361,000[22]
11 February 2009World Cup Qualifier Republic of Ireland vs. Georgia 2–165,000[23]
28 March 2009World Cup Qualifier Republic of Ireland vs. Bulgaria 1–160,002[24]
10 October 2009World Cup Qualifier Republic of Ireland vs. Italy 2–270,640[25]
14 October 2009World Cup Qualifier Republic of Ireland vs. Montenegro 0–050,212[26]
14 November 2009World Cup Qualifier Republic of Ireland vs. France 0–174,103Only Irish competitive defeat at Croke Park.[27]
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More information Ireland's Record at Croke Park, Competition ...
Ireland's Record at Croke Park
Competition Played Won Drawn Lost % Won % Lost
European Championship Qualifier422050%0%
International Friendly30120%66.67%
World Cup Qualifiers623133.33%16.67%
Total1346330.77%23.08%
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Updated 2 June 2021

Baseball

More information Date, Competition ...
DateCompetitionTeamsScoreNotesAttendanceRef
1946Exhibition gameBurtonwood Dodgers vs. Mildenhall Yankees3–4Teams of American servicemen based in England.[28][29]
25 April 1948Exhibition gameUSS Fresno vs. USS Johnston & USS Rush20–5Two teams from US Navy played a game of softball21,617[30]
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Boxing

More information Date, Fight ...
DateFightResultNotes
19 July 1972Hungary/United Kingdom Joe Bugner vs Canada Paul NielsenBugner wins by TKO in Round 6[31]
19 July 1972United States Muhammad Ali vs United States Al "Blue" LewisAli wins by TKO in Round 11A documentary film was made about the fight, When Ali Came to Ireland (2012)[32]
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Rugby union

More information Date, Competition ...
DateCompetitionTeamsScoreAttendanceNotesRef
11 February 20072007 Six Nations Championship Ireland vs.  France17–2081,572First try scored by Raphaël Ibañez. First Irish try by Ronan O'Gara.[33]
24 February 20072007 Six Nations Championship Ireland vs.  England43–1381,611Ireland's first & largest win in Croke Park[34]
2 February 20082008 Six Nations Championship Ireland vs.  Italy16–1175,387[35]
23 February 20082008 Six Nations Championship Ireland vs.  Scotland34–1374,234[36]
8 March 20082008 Six Nations Championship Ireland vs.  Wales12–1675,000[37]
15 November 20082008 Autumn internationals Ireland vs.  New Zealand3–2277,500Ireland's largest defeat in Croke Park[38]
22 November 20082008 Autumn internationals Ireland vs.  Argentina17–368,352[39]
7 February 20092009 Six Nations Championship Ireland vs.  France30–2182,000[40]
28 February 20092009 Six Nations Championship Ireland vs.  England14–1382,000[41]
2 May 20092008-09 Heineken Cup Semi-FinalMunster Munster vs. Leinster Leinster6–2582,208At the time a World record attendance in club rugby union.[42]
15 November 20092009 Autumn internationals Ireland vs.  Australia20–2069,886[43]
28 November 20092009 Autumn internationals Ireland vs.  South Africa15–1074,950[44]
6 February 20102010 Six Nations Championship Ireland vs.  Italy29–1177,686[45]
13 March 20102010 Six Nations Championship Ireland vs.  Wales27–1281,314[46]
20 March 20102010 Six Nations Championship Ireland vs.  Scotland20–2380,313Last try scored by Tommy Bowe. Last points by Dan Parks (78th min penalty)[47]
4 May 20242023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup Semi-finalsLeinster Leinster vs. England Northampton Saints20–1782,300Record attendance for a Champions Cup fixture[48]
12 October 20242024–25 United Rugby ChampionshipLeinster Leinster vs. Munster Munster26–1280,468Record attendance for a United Rugby Championship fixture[49]
6 April 20252024–25 European Rugby Champions Cup Round of 16Leinster Leinster vs. England Harlequins F.C.62–055,627[50]
14 June 20252025 United Rugby Championship Grand FinalLeinster Leinster vs. South Africa Bulls32–746,127Record attendance for a domestic league final played in Ireland[51]
18 October 20252025–26 United Rugby ChampionshipLeinster Leinster vs. Munster Munster14–3151,859[52]
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More information Ireland's Record at Croke Park, Competition ...
Ireland's Record at Croke Park
Competition Played Won Drawn Lost % Won
Test Match421150%
Six Nations1070370%
Total1491464.29%
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Updated 26 May 2021

More information Leinster's Record at Croke Park, Competition ...
Leinster's Record at Croke Park
Competition Played Won Drawn Lost % Won
European Rugby Champions Cup3300100%
United Rugby Championship320166.67%
Total650183.33%
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Updated 19 October 2025

Special Olympics

More information Year, Dates ...
YearDatesCompetitionTypeSeason# of SportsNotes
200321–29 June2003 Special Olympics World Summer GamesSpecial Olympics World GamesSummer23[53][54]
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References

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