Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game…
Match Details
🤝 Ulster v Hollywoodbets Sharks<br>
🗓 Saturday 26 April, 7.35pm <br>
🏟 Kingspan Stadium<br>
🏆 BKT United Rugby Championship, Round 16<br>
📺 Live on Premier Sports and BBC 2 NI
BKT URC Kids' Round
This Saturday, we're excited to host our BKT URC Kids' Round fixture — a special event that highlights how our clubs connect with the next generation of fans. It’s all about celebrating family-friendly match days and creating unforgettable experiences for young supporters.
There’s a whole lot of fun lined up before kick-off, with games, face painting, and plenty of activities in the fanzone to get everyone in the spirit.
Some of our Junior Season Ticket holders will even have the chance to shine on the pitch, taking part as mascots and getting involved with announcements and interviews throughout the evening.
Ticketing
Click the link below to grab your tickets and join us for an unforgettable night of rugby!
Officials
Referee: Ben Whitehouse<br>
Assistant Referees: Padraic Reidy & Max Weston<br>
TMO: Keith David
Team News
It will be a special occasion for Werner Kok who returns to the starting XV to take on his former side. Stuart McCloskey has recovered from a knock to take his place in the starting lineup.
There are also starts for Al O'Connor, Andy Warwick and Matty Rea who will be making their final starts for Ulster in front of their home fans.
View both match day squads in the official digital match programme below 👇
Digital Match Programme
Our official digital match programme includes an exclusive interview with Jack Murphy, Q&A with Andy Warwick, an in-depth look at our opponents, the latest news plus all the usual stats and information on both team
Getting to Kingspan Stadium
Kingspan Stadium is located in a residential area with parking restrictions and road closures in the immediate area on match-day.
Please do not park in the streets around the stadium, which are required for safe egress and emergency vehicles. Illegal parking will result in ticket fines.
Free Park & Ride
- A free of charge Park & Ride service is provided on match days by Ulster Rugby, operated by Translink, located at Pirrie Park (Methodist College Playing Fields car park) on the Ravenhill Road side of the stadium and also along Montgomery Road (opposite Podium for Sport) on the Mount Merrion side of the stadium. There are plenty of car parking spaces available and free buses run constantly along these routes from 90 minutes prior to the game until 90 minutes after the final whistle.
Park & Stride
- We also have a secure match day parking facility at Belfast Metropolitan College Castlereagh campus, which is a 10 minute walk from the Mount Merrion Avenue entrance to the stadium. The cost is just £5 per car which can be paid by contactless payment on arrival or you can pre-book online.
City Centre Shuttle Bus
- Free City Centre shuttle buses will also leave from Mount Merrion Avenue after the park and ride shuttle services end, approx. 45-60 minutes after full time.
Public & Special Event Bus
- Translink will be operating Rugby Special buses, traveling to and from the Belfast Grand Central Station. For more information, visit www.translink.co.uk/ulsterrugby.
At the Stadium:
Fan Zone:
- The Kingspan Stadium Fan Zone will be up and running from gates open at 6.05pm.
- The Cool FM Roadshow will provide the pre-match tunes and fan competitions as supporters warm up for the game.
- Put your rugby skills to the test with the Kingspan Scrum-Half Challenge, and you could win some great prizes, including a Ulster jersey signed by the entire Senior Men's squad.
- The Castore Store will be open from gates open until 30 minutes post-match.
- Our team mascot Sparky will be in position around the stadium bowl.
- The Food Village, Castore Shop and public bars only accept contactless payments.
- There'll be plenty of fun and games in the fan zone for our young supporters including Rugby Darts and Face Painting.
- Our partners at Britvic will be on hand to provide free refreshments to all supporters.
- Tayto, will be running their "Lucky Spud" competition at Kingspan Stadium. Keep an eye out for hidden potatoes around the ground for your chance to win a range of prizes.
Player Meet & Greet Opportunities:
- 6.35-7.05pm: In the Castore shop.
- 6.35-7.05pm: At the Cool FM Roadshow in the Fan Zone.
- 6.50pm-7.20pm: At the Kingspan Scrum-Half Challenge in the Fan Zone.
- 15 mins after full-time: Members of the playing squad will meet supporters, sign autographs and post for photos outside the players entrance at the back of the Grandstand.
Ulster Rugby Foundation
- The Ulster Rugby Foundation will be raising funds to support grassroots rugby programmes and inclusive initiatives that make a difference across our community with a match-night raffle this Saturday.
- Our Foundation volunteers will be selling tickets throughout the fan zone with amazing prizes up for grabs, including a Nomadic Pitch Black - Maraí 401 Prestige - 18K Gold Dive Watch and Ulster 2024/25 Jersey, signed by the Ulster squad
Stadium Bars:
- All public bars open at 6.05pm, with live music in the Clubhouse Bar from Aiden Hughes before and after the match.
- We have added a covered outdoor bar in the Fan Zone, bringing the number of stadium bars to six.
- Drinks can be consumed inside the public bars, within the Fan Zone or in your seats / terrace.
Also on the Pitch:
- At half-time, there will be two mini rugby exhibition games: Ballymena v Holywood at the AbbeyAutoline Family Stand End and Ards v Finn Valley at the Nevin Spence Memorial Stand End.
- Also at half-time, an Ulster player will be doing a live interview and tossing mini rugby balls into the crowd at the AbbeyAutoline Family Stand.