Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game…
Match Details
🤝 Ulster v Leinster<br>
🗓 Saturday 18 May, 7.35pm<br>
🏟 Kingspan Stadium<br>
🏆 BKT United Rugby Championship<br>
📺 Live on Premier Sports & TG4
Tickets
This fixture is now officially SOLD OUT!
Officials
Referee: Andrea Piardi<br>
Assistant Referees: Robbie Jenkinson, Keane Davison<br>
TMO: Leo Colgan
Team News
Tom O'Toole returns to the Ulster team, while James Ryan captains a Leinster side that features the likes of Cian Healy, Jack Conan, Jimmy O'Brien and Hugo Keenan.
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 Ulster's latest centurion Mike Lowry, a Q&A with Reuben Crothers, an in-depth look at our opponents, plus all the usual latest news, stats and information on both teams.
Download the official Ulster Rugby app
Whether you are at Kingspan Stadium or following along from home, the official Ulster Rugby mobile app delivers the most immersive live match stats straight to your hand.
You can also enable push notifications so you never miss a score!
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 on the Mount Merrion side of the stadium (opposite Podium for Sport). 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.
A new parking location for 2023/24 has been added at Tesco, Castlereagh Road which will now be the first pick up for the Montgomery Road Park & Ride shuttle service.
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 game and up to one hour after full-time.
Public & Special Event Bus
Translink will be operating three Rugby Special buses, traveling to and from the Europa Buscentre Belfast, Sprucefield Park & Ride via Lisburn Bus Station and Newtownards Bus Station via Dundonald Park & Ride. 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 5.35pm.
- Look out for our Welcome Team, pick up your free Ulster flag and make some noise for the Ulster men!
- The Cool FM Crew will provide the pre-match soundtrack as supporters warm up for the game.
- Check out the Kingspan 'Try-Cycle' challenge - see how many metres you can make in one minute and try to earn your place on the leaderboard. There are some fantastic prizes to be won, including the chance to travel with the Ulster team to an away fixture.
- Game of Thrones Studio Tour will be here to give all supporters the chance to get a photo atop the iconic Iron Throne, and there will also be prize giveaways on the night.
- BKT, the title sponsor of the URC, will be challenging fans in a fun rugby-themed competition of skill: test your skills at throwing a rugby ball through three different sizes of BKT tires. Give it a go to secure guaranteed prizes and a custom video recording of your attempt.
- The Kukri Store will be open from gates open until 30 minutes post-match, and there are further reductions on almost all stock.
- Our team mascot Sparky will be in position around the stadium bowl.
- For the first time, pupils from the Methodist College Belfast school band will be drumming up atmosphere during the game from the stands during the game.
- The Food Village, Kukri Store and public bars only accept contactless payments.
Tayto Lucky Spuds
Thanks to our partners at Tayto, up to 200 lucky supporters will take home a prize on Saturday night.
To win a prize, simply pick up one of the numbered potatoes hidden around Kingspan Stadium - from gates open at 5.35pm until the end of half-time - and take it to the Tayto promotional kiosk in the Fan Zone. Your potato number will then be checked and you will win the prize associated with that number.
Kingspan Passing Challenge
- On the Aquinas 3G pitch - which can be accessed via the corner of Grandstand and Family Stand - we will have the Kingspan Passing Challenge in operation. This fun challenge is open for all ages and abilities to test your passing skills or pick up some tips from Ulster Rugby players and coaches. The Passing Challenge will be open from 5.35-7.35pm.
Ulster Rugby Foundation
- You can support the work of the Ulster Rugby Foundation by purchasing a raffle ticket from Foundation volunteers who will be around the stadium. The draw will be made at half-time with fantastic prizes including a signed pair of Iain Henderson's boots, a signed and framed Ulster jersey, a signed match ball and a kicking session with John Cooney at Kingspan Stadium.
Player Meet & Greet Opportunities
- 6.00-6.30pm: At the Kingspan Try-Cycle challenge and Iron Throne within the Fan Zone.
- 6.30-6.50pm: At the Kingspan Passing Challenge on the Aquinas 3G pitch.
- 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.
Stadium Bars
- All public bars will be in operation from gates open at 5.35pm.
- The bars will be showing the Connacht v DHL Stormers fixture live from gates open.
- There will be live music from This Way Up in the Clubhouse Bar both pre and post-match.
- Drinks can be consumed inside the public bars, within the Fan Zone or in your seats / terrace.
Also on the Pitch
- Around five minutes prior to kick-off, the Ulster Juniors squad will be presented to the crowd, to celebrate their winning of the Junior Interprovincial title last weekend.
- Just before kick-off, we will observe a moment's silence in memory of all those connected with Ulster Rugby who passed away over the course of this season.
- At half-time, there will be Mixed Ability Rugby exhibition games from the players of Banbridge and Malone.
- Also at half-time, supporters will be able to show their appreciation to the departing players from the men's senior squad. They will also assist with the mini ball giveaway at the AbbeyAutoline Family Stand, and will be at the back of the Grandstand post-match to meet supporters.