The New Stadium Designated Activity Company (DAC), operating as the Aviva Stadium (Ireland), has announced the appointment of Gary McGann as its new Independent Chair.
‘AVIVA STADIUM’ stated that Gary McGann is one of Ireland’s most accomplished business leaders with a long-established track record as both an Executive and Non-Executive Director across a range of major organizations.
The New Stadium Designated Activity Company (DAC) is the corporate entity responsible for the ownership and operation of Ireland’s national stadium, the Aviva Stadium, in Dublin.
The Aviva Stadium is a sports stadium located in Dublin, Ireland. It has a capacity of 51,711 (all seated).
Versatile McGann
‘AVIVA STADIUM’ further stated that Gary McGann is currently the Chair of the privately-owned Sicon Limited (a prominent UK and Ireland-based software developer) and the Aon Investment Holdings Ireland Limited (a corporate subsidiary and holding entity within the Aon plc, a leading global professional services firm that provides risk, retirement and health solutions), the Irish subsidiary of Aon plc, and serves as the Senior Advisor and Chair of Teneo’s (a global CEO advisory firm that provides strategic communications, management consulting, financial advisory, risk management, and organizational restructuring services to the Fortune 100 and the FTSE 100 corporations, Governments and the financial institutions) Ireland Advisory Board. He is also Chair of the Allegro.eu S.A., a leading European e-commerce marketplace operator.
From 2014 to 2023, Gary McGann served as the Director and Chair of the Flutter Entertainment Plc (the world’s largest online sports betting and iGaming company), during which the company’s enterprise value grew significantly from approximately €1 billion to €30 billion.
His previous executive appointments include Chief Executive Officer (CEO) roles at Smurfit Kappa Group Plc (a leading global provider of paper-based packaging solutions) and Aer Lingus (the national flag carrier and largest airline of Ireland). Earlier in his career he served as the CEO of Gilbeys of Ireland (a major wine and spirits distributor) and held senior positions including Group Financial Controller at Ericsson Ireland (the Irish subsidiary of the Swedish telecommunications and networking giant Ericsson).
Gary McGann is a Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) and holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from the University College Dublin and a Master’s degree from Trinity College Dublin.
New Stadium DAC
The New Stadium DAC is the corporate entity responsible for the ownership and operation of the Aviva Stadium, the development of which was generously supported by the Irish Government. Through its joint ownership by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI – the governing body for association football in Ireland) and the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU – the body managing rugby union in the island of Ireland) the company provides governance and strategic oversight of Ireland’s national stadium supported by the commercial partnerships including the stadium’s naming rights partner Aviva (a British multinational insurance, wealth and retirement company).
‘Breath of Leadership’
Commenting on the appointment the Interim Chair Josephine Feehily said, “We are delighted to welcome Gary as Chair of the Board. His breadth of leadership experience across large-scale organizations, governance roles and high-growth businesses will be of significant value as we continue to strengthen the Aviva Stadium’s position as a world-class venue and a nationally significant asset for sport, entertainment and major events.”
‘National Significance Venue’
Added Gary McGann, “I am honored to take on the role of the Chair of the New Stadium DAC. As the home of Irish rugby and football and a venue of national significance the Aviva Stadium plays a unique role in Ireland’s sporting, cultural and economic life. I look forward to working with the Board, the management team, the FAI, the IRFU, and our partners to support its continued success and ongoing development as a leading host of major international sporting and cultural events.”
National Asset
The Aviva Stadium is widely recognized as a national asset hosting events that bring the communities together, attract the international visitors and showcase Ireland on the global stage. The venue calendar includes high-profile conferences and events, national and international rugby and football fixtures, American college football, major concerts from the global touring acts along with elite international women’s rugby and football fixtures.
The IRFU welcomed a record attendance of over 31,000 to the stadium for the Women’s Six Nations Ireland vs. Scotland fixture last month marking a new benchmark for women’s rugby in Ireland. The FAI has recently submitted a bid to host the Union of European Associations (UEFA) Women’s Champions League Final while preparations are already well underway for Aviva Stadium’s role as the host venue for seven matches at UEFA EURO 2028 further reinforcing the stadium’s position as one of Europe’s leading venues for major international sporting events.
A recent independent report by Indecon (Ireland’s leading independent economic research and consultancy organization) confirmed the Aviva Stadium as one of Ireland’s most significant economic and social assets delivering record annual impact across sport, entertainment, tourism, and the wider economy. The study found that since opening in 2010 the stadium has welcomed more than 10 million attendees across over 300 major events generating €4.5 billion in economy-wide expenditure and supporting approximately 10,000 jobs annually across Ireland.
The findings underline the stadium’s contribution not only to Irish sport but also to tourism, employment, economic activity, and Ireland’s international reputation.
Outside of the sporting fixtures and concerts the stadium operates year-round as one of the top conference, meeting and event venues in the capital.
Nyon (Switzerland)-based the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is the governing body of football in Europe consisting of 55 national associations.
The UEFA Women’s Champions League Final is the climactic championship match of Europe’s premier women’s club football tournament.
The 2028 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as UEFA EURO 28 or simply EURO 28, will be the 18th UEFA European Championship, the quadrennial international football championship for the European teams. It will be co-hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland and it will take place from June 9th-July 9th, 2028.
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