Aviva Stadium is Ireland’s national stadium and one of the most centrally located major sporting venues in Europe. Sitting between the city centre and the coast in Ballsbridge, it hosts Ireland’s biggest rugby internationals, including the Six Nations, as well as major football fixtures and concerts. With capacity crowds and a city-centre setting, security procedures are thorough and bag policies are enforced strictly on matchdays.
The Ballsbridge area & matchday atmosphere
On matchdays, the streets around Ballsbridge and Sandymount fill with supporters walking in from the city centre, DART stations and nearby pubs. The atmosphere builds gradually along the River Liffey routes and through areas like Grand Canal Dock, where many fans stop for food and drinks before heading to the stadium.
Because the Aviva is woven directly into a residential area, access routes are carefully controlled. Once you’re inside the security zone, there are very limited options for dealing with bags that don’t meet entry requirements — arriving prepared is essential.
Book your luggage storage with Stasher before travelling to the stadium if you’re planning to spend time in Dublin earlier in the day.
Aviva Stadium bag policy
Aviva Stadium enforces a strict small-bag policy for international rugby fixtures and major events. While exact limits can vary slightly by organiser, visitors should generally expect:
- Small bags only, typically no larger than A4 size.
- Backpacks, large handbags, suitcases and travel bags are not permitted.
- All permitted bags are subject to search at security checkpoints.
- There is no on-site luggage storage for large bags or suitcases.
Security staff have final discretion, and fans arriving with oversized or hard-to-search bags may be refused entry even with a valid ticket.
Six Nations 2026: what fans should know
Aviva Stadium will once again be a key venue during the Six Nations Championship 2026, hosting Ireland’s home fixtures during the tournament. The Six Nations runs annually from February to March and features Ireland, England, France, Italy, Scotland and Wales in a round-robin format.
Ireland typically host two or three matches at the Aviva during a Six Nations campaign, depending on the home-and-away rotation. Fixtures against England, France and Wales are particularly high demand and attract large numbers of travelling supporters, creating an electric atmosphere in and around the stadium.
Six Nations matchdays in Dublin are intense but compact. Expect extended security perimeters, long entry queues and very busy DART and bus services before and after games. Compared with club rugby fixtures, bag checks are stricter and arrival times earlier — especially for afternoon kick-offs.
Many fans attend Six Nations matches while visiting Dublin for the weekend, often arriving earlier the same day by plane or train. With no luggage storage at the stadium and tight bag restrictions, planning where to leave bags in advance is essential.
Getting to Aviva Stadium
Aviva Stadium is well connected by public transport. Lansdowne Road DART station sits directly beside the stadium, while several bus routes serve the surrounding area. Walking from the city centre is also popular on matchdays, though pavements become extremely crowded closer to kick-off.
Driving is strongly discouraged, as road closures and resident-only parking restrictions are in place around the stadium during major events.
Travelling with luggage on matchday
Many supporters attend matches on arrival or departure days, particularly during the Six Nations when weekend travel is common. Bringing suitcases or large backpacks to Aviva Stadium is not feasible due to bag restrictions and the lack of storage facilities.
Book your luggage storage for Aviva Stadium now if you’re travelling with luggage or moving between accommodations.
Storing bags before heading to the Aviva
A practical option is to store luggage elsewhere in Dublin before travelling to the stadium. This allows you to enjoy the city centre, meet friends for food or drinks, and arrive at the Aviva with just a small, permitted bag.
Book your luggage storage for Aviva Stadium now and focus on the rugby rather than your bags.
Local tips for visiting fans
- Arrive early — security queues build quickly close to kick-off.
- Eat and drink before entering the stadium zone to avoid long waits.
- Wear comfortable shoes; walking is often faster than buses on matchdays.
- Plan your return journey in advance, as DART services are extremely busy after full-time.
Aviva Stadium enforces a strict small-bag policy and does not provide on-site luggage storage. With Six Nations 2026 fixtures drawing huge crowds and heightened security in a central Dublin location, advance planning is essential. By storing luggage ahead of time, travelling light and allowing extra time for entry and exit, you’ll enjoy a smoother and more memorable rugby experience at Ireland’s national stadium.
