Bohemian FC’s continued working relationship with the Aviva Stadium and the FAI could lead to an increase in attendance from 6,000 for their Europa Conference second leg qualifier against Luxembourg’s Dudelange on July 29th.
“I was one of those lucky enough to be present for the first round game between Bohs and Stjarnan and the atmosphere at the Aviva Stadium that night was fantastic,” said FAI CEO Jonathan Hill of the pilot scheme for bringing fans back to grounds after 16 months.
The increased capacity will be announced today with a premium level ticket costing €30, €20 elsewhere and €10 for under 16s.
Shamrock Rovers disappointment, after being knocked out of the Champions League by Slovan Bratislava last week, might transform into a financial windfall as the Airtricity League champions have been gifted a winnable route into the Europa Conference league.
Toyota scraps Tokyo 2020-related TV adverts amid lack of public interest
Referee Michelle O’Neill: ‘I feel the very same going out, representing Ireland in an Olympic Games’
Lionel Messi set to take wage cut as part of new five-year deal with Barcelona
Celtic to face PSV or Galatasaray to reach Champions League
Rovers would earn €1.3 million in prize money should they overcome the winners of Albanian side KF Tueta Durres or Andorra’s Inter Club d’Escaldes.
The third round qualifiers will be played on August 5th and 12th.
The prize money for reaching the third round is €550,000 with another €750,000 should Stephen Bradley’s side progress to the final play-off. The prize money for entering the group stage proper of European club football’s third tier competition is just shy of €3 million with an additional €500,000 for every match won thereafter.
Dundalk and Bohemians were also included in Monday's draw ahead of their second qualifying round games this Thursday. Vinny Perth's Dundalk are hosting Levadia Tallinn from Estonia at Tallaght Stadium - where 1,500 fans were allowed to attend Rovers European tie last week - while Bohs travel to Luxembourg for the first leg against Dudelange.
Progress would put Dundalk against Vitesse, who finished fourth in the Dutch league last season, while Bohs might get another money spinner at the Aviva stadium against Greek club PAOK.
Europa Conference League - Third qualifying round (two legs to be played August 5th and 12th)
Shamrock Rovers vs Teuta (ALB) / Inter Club d'Escaldes (AND)
Dudelange (LUX) / Bohemians vs PAOK (GRE)
Vitesse (NED) vs Dundalk / Levadia Tallinn (EST)
