Match Previews

Match Day Guide | Ulster v Munster

1st January 2026

Match Details

🤝 Ulster vs Munster 
🗓 Friday 2 January, 7.45pm 
🏟 Affidea Stadium 
🏆 BKT URC – Round 9 
📺 Live on Premier Sports

Fan Zone

Get set for match night! The Ulster Rugby Fan Zone opens from 5.45pm at Affidea Stadium.

🎉 Keep an eye out for our Welcome Team on arrival they’ll be handing out our 2025/26 Ulster Rugby flags.

🍔 Fuel up with a fantastic range of food options, while the Cool FM crew gets the pre-match vibes going with their playlist.

👋 Make sure to say hello to Sparky, our ever-popular mascot, who’ll be meeting fans before kick-off and throughout the game.

Introducing "The 9 Counties."

This Friday will see the launch of our new Supporters' Area, The 9 Counties, within the Nevin Spence Memorial Stand, the entrance is at the right hand side of the Scrum Bar.

The 9 Counties will feature:

Premium glassware, locally sourced food and drink
Comfortable seated supporters area
Priority access for Season Ticket Holders
Pre- and post-match entertainment, showing pre and post match coverage
Exhibits, memorabilia, and stories celebrating our club’s proud history

Season Ticket Holders who have claimed tickets have priority access from 5.45pm-6.15pm, at which point all ticket holders can access the area until maximum capacity is reached.

Support the Ulster Rugby Foundation Raffle

Help support grassroots rugby and inclusive community programmes by taking part in our match-night raffle, proudly run by the Ulster Rugby Foundation.

🎟 Raffle tickets will be available in the Fan Zone, with three brilliant prizes to be won:

🥇 Signed jersey plus Spirit of ’99 tickets (for a match of your choice, excluding Ulster vs Leinster on 17 April) 
🥈 Signed ball and two Ulster Rugby match tickets 
🥉 Signed print and a Captain’s Run Experience

🎫 Tickets are available now below.

🕐 The draw will take place at half-time, with winners announced live in the stadium and shared across our website and social media channels.

BUY RAFFLE TICKETS

Tickets for this fixture are now sold out! 🎟

Officials

Referee: Mike Adamson 
Assistant Referees: Robbie Jenkinson & Sam Holt

Team News

Ulster will lineout with a strong 23, with Ireland International Iain Henderson returning to captain the side, there are also starts for Academy graduates Joe Hopes and Bryn Ward, and Cormac Izuchukwu starts in the back-row after his POTM performance against Connacht.

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 Cover Star Angus Bell and a full preview of our opponents Munster.

2025.26-BKT-URC_Match-Programme-Ulster-v-MUNSTER

Getting to Affidea Stadium

Affidea 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.

Park & Ride

A 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). In order to ensure quick entry, we strongly encourage all supporters to pre-book their parking. There are plenty of car parking spaces available and buses run constantly along these routes from 90 minutes prior to the game until 90 minutes after the final whistle. The cost is just £5 per car for Pirrie Park which can be pre-booked online, Montgomery road parking is free.

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.

Fan Zone:

The Affidea Stadium Fan Zone opens from 5.45pm, ready to welcome fans as soon as the gates open.

Get the party started with the Cool FM Roadshow, delivering pre-match music, live entertainment, and fan competitions to build the perfect matchday atmosphere.
Copeland Distillery will be sampling in both the A&L Goodbody Lounge and Heineken Bar, offering FREE tastings of the exclusive Copeland Distillery x Ulster Rugby Whiskey and Gin range. The full collection will also be available to purchase on the night.
Pepsi will be on site with their Pepsi Max Taste Challenge — guess the correct drink and be in with a chance to win some brilliant prizes.
Bavarian BMW will be in the Fan Zone showcasing their latest premium electric vehicles
Heineken will be pouring free samples of Heineken 0.0% in the Heineken Bar — perfect if you’re taking on Dry January or acting as designated driver for the evening.
The Castore Store will be open from gates opening until 30 minutes after full-time, stocking all three Ulster Rugby kits for the 2025/26 season.
Keep an eye out for Sparky, our team mascot, who’ll be making appearances around the stadium bowl to meet fans throughout the evening.

Player Meet & Greet Opportunities:

6.30–7.15pm: Meet the players under the new giant stretch tent in the Fan Zone.

15 minutes after full-time: Members of the playing squad will greet supporters, sign autographs, and take photos outside the players’ entrance at the back of the Grandstand.