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Planning a trip to Dublin for an event at Aviva Stadium this August? Whether you’re travelling for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic or Arsenal v Real Betis, where you stay can make all the difference.
While many visitors immediately search for hotels beside the stadium, staying in Dublin city centre offers much more than convenience. You can spend the day exploring Dublin’s attractions, enjoy dinner or drinks before kick-off, and celebrate after the final whistle without being limited to one neighbourhood.
Located just over 2 km from Aviva Stadium, Trinity College Dublin offers comfortable summer accommodation in the heart of the city, making it easy to combine a major sporting event with a memorable Dublin city break.
What’s on at Aviva Stadium in 2026?
Aviva Stadium’s August calendar features two of the year’s biggest sporting events, drawing fans from Ireland and around the world.
Full August events calendar at Aviva Stadium
Football fans can watch Arsenal v Real Betis in a pre-season fixture on Wednesday 5th August at Aviva Stadium, giving supporters the chance to see two leading European clubs compete in Dublin.
The Aer Lingus College Football Classic transforms Dublin into a festival atmosphere for several days, with fan events, marching bands and celebrations taking place across the city before the TCU vs UNC kick-off on Saturday 29th August. This internationally recognised Ireland college football game welcomes thousands of American and Irish fans for an unforgettable weekend of college football, entertainment and celebrations across the city.
How to get tickets for Aviva Stadium August events?
Tickets for August events at Aviva Stadium are available through the official Aviva Stadium website and authorised ticket partners, such as Ticketmaster. Popular fixtures such as the Aer Lingus College Football Classic and Arsenal v Real Betis can sell out well in advance, so it’s worth booking as early as possible.
If standard tickets are no longer available, hospitality packages may still be an option, offering premium seating and access to exclusive lounges. You can also check official resale platforms, where tickets may become available closer to the event through authorised fan-to-fan exchanges.
Once you’ve secured your tickets, it’s a good idea to plan your itinerary and secure your accommodation as soon as your tickets are confirmed.
Hotels near Aviva Stadium Dublin: What are your options?
Visitors looking for hotels near Aviva Stadium, hotels close to Aviva Stadium Dublin or accommodation within easy reach of the venue have several options.
While hotels in Dublin 4 offer proximity to the stadium, they often experience high demand and increased prices during major sporting events. Staying in Dublin city centre gives visitors greater flexibility, excellent transport connections and access to a much wider range of restaurants, attractions and nightlife.
Stay at Trinity College Dublin: A city centre alternative
Staying on Trinity’s historic campus offers something many traditional hotels can’t. You’ll wake up in the heart of one of Europe’s oldest universities while being only minutes from Dublin’s shops, restaurants and cultural attractions. It can be tempting to book the closest hotel available to the stadium. However, staying in Dublin city centre gives you far more flexibility during your trip.
Instead of paying premium prices for hotels in the immediate stadium area during major events, where rooms can often exceed €200-€300 per night, you can stay on Trinity’s historic campus from €93 per night while remaining within easy reach of Aviva Stadium by foot, DART or taxi.
You’ll also have Dublin’s best shopping, restaurants, museums and nightlife on your doorstep, making it easy to turn your visit into a weekend away rather than simply travelling in for the match.
Choose from comfortable ensuite rooms or spacious self-catering apartments, ideal for couples, families and groups travelling together.
With Grafton Street, Temple Bar and the Book of Kells Experience all within walking distance, Trinity provides the perfect base for combining your event with a city break.
Walking distance from city centre to Aviva Stadium
Trinity College Dublin is approximately 2 km from Aviva Stadium. The walk takes around 25 to 30 minutes through Georgian Dublin, past Merrion Square and along tree-lined streets before arriving at the stadium.
Public transport from Dublin city centre to Aviva Stadium
Getting to Aviva Stadium from Trinity is quick and straightforward. The DART runs from nearby Tara Street Station directly to Lansdowne Road Station, which is located beside the stadium. Journey times are typically under 10 minutes.
Getting to Aviva Stadium by bus, DART and luas
Visitors have several transport options:
- Walk in approximately 25 to 30 minutes.
- Take the DART from Tara Street to Lansdowne Road Station.
- Catch one of several Dublin Bus routes serving the stadium.
- Take a short taxi journey from the city centre.
Although the Luas does not stop directly at Aviva Stadium, both Green and Red Line services connect easily with Dublin’s rail and bus network. You can check the latest routes and timetables on Transport for Ireland before you travel.
Why stay in Dublin city centre instead of near Aviva Stadium
Choosing Dublin city centre accommodation means you can enjoy much more than just easy access to the stadium. From better transport links to more places to eat and explore, it’s an ideal base for making the most of your trip.
Better value: City centre vs Stadium-area
During major sporting events, hotels around Aviva Stadium can book up quickly and prices often increase to reflect demand. Staying in Dublin city centre gives you access to a wider choice of accommodation while still being only a short journey from the stadium. That means you can spend less on your room and more enjoying your trip.
More things to do
One major advantage of staying in Trinity College is things to do in Dublin during your city break.
Make a weekend of it by exploring Dublin before kick-off. Visit the Book of Kells Experience, wander through Trinity’s historic campus, browse the shops on Grafton Street or relax in St Stephen’s Green before heading to the stadium. After the final whistle, you’ll have hundreds of restaurants, pubs and late-night venues to choose from in the city centre.
Better restaurants
While Dublin 4 has a selection of excellent pubs and cafés, staying in the city centre gives you access to an even wider variety of restaurants, traditional pubs and late-night bars to enjoy before or after the event.
Safer getting home after the match
After the final whistle, you can avoid long journeys by taking a short walk, DART, bus or taxi back to Trinity College Dublin. Staying in the city centre also means you’ll be close to well-lit streets, public transport and plenty of places to stop for food or a drink before returning to your accommodation.
Group accommodation options near Aviva Stadium
Travelling with friends or family for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic or another major event? While hotels close to Aviva Stadium are convenient, they can be in high demand during major events, with higher room rates and limited availability. Trinity College Dublin offers comfortable ensuite rooms and spacious self-catering apartments in the heart of Dublin city centre, giving groups more space and flexibility. You’ll also be within easy reach of restaurants, attractions and nightlife, making it easy to explore Dublin before kick-off and celebrate after the final whistle, all while remaining just a short walk or DART journey from Aviva Stadium.
Things to do in Dublin around the August events
Make the most of your trip by exploring some of Dublin’s highlights before kick-off.
- Best pubs and restaurants near Aviva Stadium: Whether you’re meeting friends before the match or celebrating after the final whistle, there are plenty of great places to eat and drink around Aviva Stadium. Popular pubs include Slattery’s, The Bath, Beggars Bush and The Bridge 1859, while Dublin city centre offers an even wider choice of post-match restaurants, bars and late-night venues if you’re making a weekend of your visit.
- Dublin city centre attractions within walking distance: Visit the Book of Kells Experience to see Ireland’s famous medieval manuscript and the stunning Long Room in the Old Library. Join a Trinity Trails Walking Tour to uncover over 430 years of history led by expert guides, browse the shops and street performers on Grafton Street, unwind in St Stephen’s Green or explore the free collections at the National Gallery of Ireland.
- Pre-match and post-match venues in Dublin 4: Ballsbridge and Dublin 4 are popular meeting spots before events at Aviva Stadium, with a range of pubs and cafes welcoming supporters. After the match, many visitors head back to the city centre, where there’s an even wider choice of restaurants, bars and entertainment.
Planning your August trip to Dublin?
Whether you’re travelling for Arsenal v Real Betis, the Aer Lingus College Football Classic or another major event, staying at Trinity College Dublin lets you enjoy the match while making the most of everything Dublin has to offer.