Match Details
🤝 Ulster v Stade Français<br>
🗓 Saturday 17 January, 1.00pm<br>
🏟 Affidea Stadium<br>
🏆 EPCR Challenge Cup – Round 4<br>
📺 Live on Premier Sports
Fan Zone
The Ulster Rugby Fan Zone at Affidea Stadium opens at 11.30am.
On arrival, keep an eye out for our Welcome Team, who’ll be handing out 2025/26 Ulster Rugby flags to help kick-start your matchday atmosphere.
Inside the Fan Zone, you’ll find a wide range of food and drink options to get you set for kick-off.
The Cool FM crew will be bringing the energy with a pre-match playlist to get you in the mood.
Heineken will be giving the first 200 fans through the gates a free pint of Heineken 0.0% in the Heineken Bar, so make sure to call down early and collect your voucher.\*
Our partners Finnebrogue will be beside the Memorial Arch giving out free Hot Dogs to all supporters while stocks last!
And don’t forget to say hello to Sparky, our mascot, who’ll be meeting fans before kick-off and throughout the game.
\*Over 18s only.
Introducing "The 9 Counties."
The 9 Counties, our premium Supporters’ Area within the Nevin Spence Memorial Stand, is now open and ready to welcome supporters on matchdays.
What you can expect:
✔️ 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 free access to The 9 Counties for our fixture against Stade Français through an exclusive email to Season Ticket Holders.<br>
📅 Saturday 17 January<br>
⏰ Kick-off: 1.00pm - Access from 11.30am
Season Ticket Holders who claimed tickets have priority access from 11.30am-12.00pm, at which point all ticket holders can access the area until capacity is reached.
Ulster Rugby Foundation
This Saturday, the Ulster Rugby Foundation will be raising funds for grassroots rugby and inclusive community initiatives with a special match-night raffle.
Our volunteers will be selling tickets in the Fan Zone, giving you the chance to win one of these fantastic prizes:
🥇 Signed Jersey<br>
🥈 Signed Ball<br>
🥉 Two tickets to the Cardiff match on the 31/01/26
You can purchase raffle tickets in advance at:<br>
👉 <https://uk.givergy.com/MatchNightRaffle17Jan>
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 11.30am , 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…