Affordable tickets, entertainment and big fights: Taylor’s Croke Park finale promises it all

Katie Taylor pitchside at Croke Park. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photos

Katie Taylor’s Croke Park dream will become a reality on 5 September as she defends her Super Lightweight championship against France’s undefeated Flora Pili.

“We did it. We actually brought boxing back to Croke Park,” said Taylor at a press conference in the iconic venue. 

Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn made the monumental announcement while confirming her opponent and the ticket prices.

For her farewell, it could not be anywhere else. A return to the 3Arena or a trip to the Aviva Stadium was never really an option.

“It wasn’t really on the radar,” said Taylor.

“The history of Croke Park, its heritage, it is part of our culture really, this stadium. To have a chance to fight in this amazing stadium, carrying the hope of the nation with me, every time I step into the ring, I love the fact that I am representing my country. I love the fact that I am Irish and representing this amazing nation.” 

They promised a blockbuster night celebrating Irish sport and Irish culture. Speculation continues to swirl about potential music acts to perform on the night.

“I haven’t heard,” said Taylor. “I know there are rumours of Westlife. I don’t know if that is reality of not. I have no idea about the ins and outs of the show.

“There is going to be top-class boxing on the night but also top-class entertainment as well.” 

The Irish boxing legend puts her WBO, WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine titles on the line and fights for the vacant WBC Super Lightweight Championship.

Hearn began by thanking every person on the table alongside him. 

The challenger Flora Pili and her manager Christian Cherchi, LIDL CEO Robert Ryan as event sponsor, music promoter Peter Aiken, Taylor’s manager Brian Peters and Croke Park stadium director, Peter McKenna, were all present.

It will be the first time Croke Park has hosted a boxing event since Muhammad Ali's victory over Al ‘Blue’ Lewis in 1972.

Tickets will officially be released on sale next week via Ticketmaster, Friday June 12, priced from €38.70, with family ticket packages (seated in a non-alcohol area in the stadium) priced at €125.50.

Pre-sale tickets for Matchroom Boxing Fight Pass members opens at 9am on Wednesday, June 10. Lidl customers with the Lidl Plus App can purchase on Pre-Sale exclusively from 10am via the Lidl Plus App, with Croke Park residents able to purchase from 10am also.

General sale goes live at 9am on Friday, June 12. Cusack/Davin and Hogan stand prices start at €38.70 – with tickets for a family of four (in a non-alcohol area of the stadium) at €125.50. 

Pitch side prices range from €106.25 to €1,505.50. All tickets via Ticketmaster are subject to a max service charge of €10.50.

Hearn said the night will be the biggest ever moment in the history of female boxing, the biggest crowd in the history of female boxing and the biggest crowd in the history of female sport for an individual athlete.

He referenced the occasionally difficult negotiations with GAA headquarters, able to joke about it now that the deal had been secured.

“We’ve had our back and forwards,” he said with a smile, before referencing their first meeting earlier this year.

“I looked all of your team in the eye and said, ‘Do you really want to do this?’ You said, ‘Absolutely.’” McKenna was equally enthusiastic in response.

“She is without doubt the greatest Irish sportsperson of all time. We are mighty proud to have this fight in Croke Park. It is going to be fantastic. It is great that everything was able to come together.” 

As for the undercard and official fight time, the details will be revealed in the coming weeks. Hearn stressed they are mindful of the crowd that will come.

“The kind of people that are coming to this event, they are not just fight fans, we want to see families here. We want to see young girls here. We want to see young boys here. We want to see amateur boxers here. That will be reflected in the price point.

“It will be earlier than normal, in terms of your TV shows, but not talking about an afternoon fight. I expect the ring walk to be around 9, 9.30 pm. In an ideal world. No later than 10 pm.” 

Affordability, entertainment and a few proper Irish showdowns on the bill, there will be something for everyone.

“We have our own Irish fighters,” said Hearn.

“Frank Warren has Irish fighters. This is not just about Matchroom, putting Matchroom fighters on the card. You will see fighters on the card that aren’t Matchroom fighters but are important to the future of Irish boxing.

“We want three to four fantastic Irish dingdongs. All Irish fights, every time we have done a show here, in the 3Arena or in Belfast, anywhere. Those domestic fights are the ones that really light up the place.”