Lansdowne to host 2011 Uefa Cup final

Lansdowne Road will host the Uefa Cup final in 2011, it was confirmed this afternoon. The stadium is currently under construction but is due to be completed in August 2010. The decision was announced at a Uefa meeting in Nyon where it was also confirmed Wembley will stage the Champions League final in the same year.

Welcoming the decision this afternoon, FAI chief executive John Delaney said: “Europe’s top clubs will play out the 40th final of the Uefa Cup in Dublin in 2011. This is a significant coup, for our new stadium and for Ireland.

“I would like to pay particular thanks to Dublin City Council and the Government for their help in mounting this winning bid, against stiff competition from all over Europe."

Delaney added the event would boost the city's coffers by €100million.

"This is a magic day. It is probably our greatest achievement in football off the pitch.

"It will bring much-needed revenue of over €100million to the local economy and boost our standing in international football."

The 50,000 seater stadium, which is being built by the IRFU and the FAI, was chosen ahead of Bucharest’s new National Stadium which is also under construction.

Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium was also a contender but was ruled out because of the decision to award Wembley the Champions League showpiece.

The Uefa Cup, which is currently held by Zenit St Petersburg, is to be rebranded as the Europe League after this year’s tournament.

Dublin’s Lord Mayor Eibhlin Byrne said she was “delighted that all the hard work that went into mounting this bid has paid off.”

She added: “The Uefa Cup final will focus the world’s attention on Dublin as well as providing significant visitor numbers to our city. We look forward to making the Uefa Cup final in Dublin a success by working with our main partners and creating a night to remember for everyone,”.