Croke Park (Irish: Páirc an Chrócaigh, IPA: [ˈpˠaːɾʲc ə ˈxɾˠoːkəj]) is a Gaelic games stadium in Dublin, Ireland.

[2] It serves as both the principal national stadium of Ireland and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).

Along with other events held at the stadium include the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2003 Special Olympics, and numerous musical concerts.

In June 2012, the stadium hosted the closing ceremony of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress during which Pope Benedict XVI gave an address over a video link.

[6][7] The area now known as Croke Park was owned in the 1880s by Maurice Butterly and known as the City and Suburban Racecourse, or Jones' Road sports ground.

In 1917, a grassy hill was constructed on the railway end of Croke Park to afford patrons a better view of the pitch.

The RIC entered the ground and began shooting into the crowd, killing or fatally wounding 14 civilians during a Dublin-Tipperary Gaelic football match.

Such was the importance of Croke Park to the GAA for hosting big games, that the stadium did not close during redevelopment.

Big games, including the annual All-Ireland Hurling and Football finals, were played in the stadium throughout the development.

[19] Phase Two of the development started in late 1998 and involved extending the new Cusack Stand to replace the existing Canal End terrace.

Extras included a fitted-out mezzanine level for VIP and Ard Comhairle (Where the dignitaries sit) along with a top-level press media facility.

The presence of terracing meant that for the brief period when Croke Park hosted international association football during 2007–2009, the capacity was reduced to approximately 73,500, due to FIFA's statutes stating that competitive games must be played in all-seater stadiums.

[2] Since January 2006, a special growth and lighting system called the SGL Concept has been used to assist grass growing conditions, even in the winter months.

[24] With the 2007 Six Nations clash with France and possibly other matches in subsequent years requiring lighting the GAA installed floodlights in the stadium (after planning permission was granted).

[25] Temporary floodlights were installed for the American Bowl game between Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers on the pitch in 1997, and again for the 2003 Special Olympics.

In turn, nationalist groups supported the GAA as the prime example of purely Irish sporting culture.

The motion gives the GAA Central Council the power to authorise the renting or leasing of Croke Park for events other than those controlled by the Association, during a period when Lansdowne Road – the venue for international football and rugby matches – was closed for redevelopment.

Ultimately the anthem was sung without interruption or incident, and applauded by both sets of supporters at the match, which Ireland won by 43–13 (their largest-ever win over England in rugby).

Outside half, Dan Parks inspired the Scots to a 3-point victory and ended Irish Hopes of a triple crown.

[39][40] In July 2013, it was announced that Penn State would open their 2014 college football season against Central Florida at Croke Park.

[41] Croke Park will hold its first regular season NFL game in 2025 with the Pittsburgh Steelers being designated the home team.

[43][44] On 2 May 2009, Croke Park was the venue for a Heineken Cup rugby semi-final, in which Leinster defeated Munster 25–6.

[45] This record stood until 31 March 2012 when it was surpassed by an English Premiership game between Harlequins and Saracens at Wembley Stadium which hosted a crowd of 83,761.

[46] This was beaten again in 2016 in the Top 14 final at the Nou Camp which hosted a crowd of 99,124 A walkway,[47] known under a sponsorship deal as Kellogg's Skyline Tour Croke Park, opened on 1 June 2012.

[52] In April 2014, Kerry legend Mick O'Dwyer, Sligo footballer Micheál Kerins, along with hurlers Noel Skehan of Kilkenny and Pat McGrath of Waterford became the second group of former players to receive Hall of Fame awards.

[53] The new National Handball Centre, located at the southeast corner of the stadium on Sackville Avenue,[54] is close to completion,[55] with the final minor stages of building delayed slightly due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.