Friday night rugby is back under the Affidea Stadium lights. Ulster Men open the 2026/27 BKT United Rugby Championship at home to Edinburgh on Friday 25 September 2026 — Round 1, kick-off 7.45pm, live on Premier Sports.
Photo: Ulster Rugby on X
It’s the first competitive home night of the new season. Ulster have stacked the matchday with a fuller Fan Zone, new bars, a phone light show and a clearer run-in to kick-off — the same package flagged when the Affidea matchday refresh landed with Season Ticket lanyards.
Tickets: ulster.rugby/buytickets · Buy tickets hub · Ticketmaster — Ulster v Edinburgh
Season tickets 2026/27: ulster.rugby/tickets/season-tickets-202627
Matchday info: ulster.rugby/matchday-info
Matchnight timeline
- 5.45pm — Fan Zone, public bars and The 9 Counties open
- 5.45–6.15pm — Season Ticket Holders early access to The 9 Counties (lanyard at the door)
- From 6.15pm — The 9 Counties opens to all ticket holders, subject to capacity
- 6.30pm — Player Entrance Walk (line the route as the Ulster Men head for the tunnel)
- 6.45pm — Cool FM Pre-Match Show live from the Cool Stage
- By 7.30pm — Be in your seat or on the terrace
- 7.45pm — Kick-off
- ~15 minutes after full-time — Meet players at the players’ entrance behind the Grandstand
Fan Zone
The Fan Zone is the pre-match hub just inside the main turnstiles. Expect Sparky on the roam, the Castore Shop with the new 2026/27 kits plus training and travel kit, and the Food Village. Payments around the Fan Zone, Castore Shop and public bars are contactless only.
Season Ticket Holder lanyards
New 2026/27 Season Ticket Holder lanyards are being collected at the Edinburgh game. Ulster say collection details go out to members by email. The lanyard unlocks 10% off in the Castore Shop and priority access to The 9 Counties (club terms apply).
The 9 Counties — Nevin Spence Memorial Stand
The 9 Counties sits in the Nevin Spence Memorial Stand — Ulster’s premium supporters’ space for the season. On the offer: premium glassware, locally sourced food and drink, a seated supporters’ area, pre- and post-match entertainment with live coverage, plus club exhibits and memorabilia. Season Ticket Holders get the early window; after 6.15pm it opens to all ticket holders if there’s room.
Foundation raffle
The Ulster Rugby Foundation is running a match-night raffle for grassroots rugby and inclusive community programmes. Volunteers will be selling tickets in the Fan Zone. Prizes listed for this fixture:
- Signed Ulster jersey
- Signed ball
- Four tickets for Ulster v Munster on Saturday 10 October
- Signed Rob Baloucoune print
Buy online: Ulster Rugby Foundation match-night raffle · more on the Foundation: ulster.rugby/about/ulster-rugby-foundation
Bars, food and family deals
Guinness, Guinness 0.0 and Rockshore are across the ground, with a new Rockshore pop-up. The old Lineout is now the Supporters Bar, hosted by SUFTUM On Tour — flags, music and pre-match craic. Kids and family meal deals are in the mix, and the Clubhouse Bar has live entertainment before and after the game. Public bars open from 5.45pm.
Phone light show, half-time and minis
Before the teams come out, supporters can join a stadium-wide phone light show. At half-time there’s AbbeyAutoline trivia on your phone, and the usual minis rugby on the pitch.
Tickets and next home game
Still need a seat for Edinburgh? Start at the official hubs above, or go straight to Ticketmaster for Ulster v Edinburgh.
Next home after this one: Ulster v Munster, Saturday 10 October 2026, 5.30pm at Affidea Stadium — tickets via the same buy tickets / tickets hub.
For more Belfast rugby nights on the diary, see September Belfast events 2026 and The Rugby Pod Live at Waterfront Hall.
For every Ulster game this season, with kick-off times and scores, see our Ulster Rugby fixtures and results 2026/27 guide.
Discover more from LoveBelfast
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
