Match Details
🤝 Ulster v Cardiff<br>
🗓 Saturday 31 January, 7.45pm<br>
🏟 Affidea Stadium<br>
🏆 BKT URC – Round 11<br>
📺 Live on Premier Sports
## Fan Zone
The Ulster Rugby Fan Zone at Affidea Stadium opens at 5.45pm.
When you arrive, look out for our Welcome Team, who’ll be handing out 2025/26 Ulster Rugby flags to help build the matchday buzz.
Inside the Fan Zone, there’s a great selection of food and drink options to get you ready for kick-off, while the Cool FM crew set the tone with a high-energy pre-match playlist.
Be sure to say hello to Sparky, our mascot, who’ll be meeting supporters before kick-off and throughout the game.
The 9 Counties, our premium supporters’ area located within the Nevin Spence Memorial Stand, is open and ready to welcome fans on matchdays.
You'll expect to see:
✔️ Premium glassware<br>
✔️ Locally sourced food and drink<br>
✔️ Comfortable seated supporters’ area<br>
✔️ Priority access for Season Ticket Holders<br>
✔️ Pre- and post-match entertainment, including live coverage<br>
✔️ Club exhibits, memorabilia, and stories celebrating our proud history
🎟 Season Ticket Holders can claim exclusive early access to The 9 Counties for our fixture against Cardiff via an exclusive email.<br>
📅 Saturday 31 January<br>
⏰ Kick-off: 7.45pm<br>
🚪 Access: 5.45pm–6.15pm
After this time the area will open to all ticket holders until capacity is reached.
Ulster Rugby Foundation
This Saturday, the Ulster Rugby Foundation will be fundraising for grassroots rugby and inclusive community initiatives with a special match-night raffle.
Our volunteers will be selling raffle tickets in the Fan Zone, with the chance to win one of the following prizes:
🥇 Signed ball<br>
🥈 Signed print<br>
🥉 Two tickets to the Connacht match on 20/03/26
🎟 Raffle tickets can also be purchased in advance at:<br>
👉 <https://uk.givergy.com/matchnightraffle31Jan>
The raffle will be drawn at half-time, with winners announced in-stadium, on the Ulster Rugby website, and across our social channels.
Public Bars
Join us this Saturday as our Fan Zone comes to life under our giant stretch tent. Fans can look forward to:
- Two new bars with seating and tables
- A variety of food trucks
- Live music from Cool FM
All public bars within the stadium will open at 5.45pm , with live entertainment in the Clubhouse Bar from both before and after the match.
Please note: The Food Village, Castore Shop, and all public bars are contactless payment only.
Castore Shop
Make sure to visit the Castore Shop in the Fan Zone, where you can browse the latest training and travel wear, along with all three 2025/26 Ulster Rugby playing kits.
Build-Up to Kick-Off
Head to your seat or terrace around 15 minutes before kick-off and soak up the atmosphere as Pete Snodden from Cool FM gets the stadium fired up ahead of the action.
Half-Time AbbeyAutoline Ball Giveaway
Supporters in the AbbeyAutoline Family Stand should keep an eye out at half-time, as an Ulster player, Sparky, and Abbey the Bee take to the stand to throw mini rugby balls into the crowd.
Meet the Squad
Around 15 minutes after full-time, members of the Ulster playing squad will be available for photos and autographs at the players’ entrance behind the Grandstand.
Stadium Map
Match-Night Experience
Here’s what you can expect from a match night at Affidea Stadium…