Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians to open League of Ireland campaigns at Aviva Stadium 

Bohemians have forgone home advantage to allow the clubs to meet at the Aviva - the first time a regular season fixture has been hosted at the stadium.

AVIVA SHOWCASE: Filip Piszczek of Bohemians heads his side's second goal during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers at Dalymount Park in September. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

A modern-day record League of Ireland attendance record could be reached on Sunday, February 16, when Bohemians move their opening season fixture against Shamrock Rovers to the 51,000-seater Aviva Stadium.

What’s regarded as the biggest game in Irish football first took place 110 years ago and it has been 80 years since the clubs faced each other in the 1945 Men's FAI Cup final, which held the record crowd in the competition until the 2023 final between Bohs against St Patrick's Athletic when 43,881 people attended.

Bohs — who have forgone home advantage — have worked hard over the past couple of months, alongside the FAI, and with the support of Shamrock Rovers, to bring this game to fruition.

They said in a statement: “We wished to harness the huge growth in our own fanbase, and indeed that of the whole league, to bring the country’s most famous fixture to the country’s best stadium.

“When bringing the concept to the FAI, who were immediately fully supportive, we opted to forgo home advantage to make it a reality.

“Bohemian FC will operate the fixture as the home team in terms of branding, commercial arrangements, dressing room and the selection of the South Stand for our singing section.

“The game will kick off at 2pm, and full ticket details will be announced in the coming days long with an on-sale date in mid-December.” 

Fixtures for that opening weekend, beginning on Friday, February 14, will be unveiled in the coming weeks.