Gary McGann, one of Ireland's most prominent business leaders, has been appointed as the first independent chair of New Stadium DAC, the company that operates Dublin's Aviva Stadium on behalf of the Irish Rugby Football Union and the Football Association of Ireland. The appointment was announced in late June 2026, at a moment of heightened strategic importance for the stadium, which faces a calendar crowded with major international sporting events including Euro 2028, potential hosting of the UEFA Women's Champions League Final, and concerts featuring global touring acts.
McGann becomes the inaugural independent chair of the 51,000-capacity venue, replacing Josephine Feehily, who served as interim chair and welcomed his appointment. The stadium's existing board comprises representatives from both governing bodies, including FAI chief David Courell and IRFU deputy CEO Padraig Power. The appointment follows the recent hiring of Alan Gallagher as chief executive. Interim Chair Feehily said McGann's experience across large-scale organisations and high-growth businesses would help strengthen the venue's position as a world-class stage for sport and entertainment. McGann said in a statement that he looked forward to working with the board, management and partner organisations to support the stadium's continued success.
McGann brings an extensive track record across Irish industry. He served as chief executive of Aer Lingus during the 1990s, when the then-troubled airline was undertaking major restructuring, and later led Smurfit Kappa Group, the packaging company, from 2002 until his retirement from full-time executive roles in 2015. During his nine-year tenure as chair of Flutter Entertainment from 2014 to 2023, the online gambling company's enterprise value grew from approximately 1 billion euros to 30 billion euros. He currently chairs Sicon Ltd, a software developer, and Aon Investment Holdings Ireland Ltd, the Irish subsidiary of global professional services firm Aon plc. He also chairs Allegro.eu, a European e-commerce marketplace operator. McGann holds a BA from University College Dublin and a master's degree from Trinity College Dublin, and is a Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant.
New Stadium DAC was established in 2010 following a 410 million euro redevelopment of the historic Lansdowne Road site, with the Irish government contributing 191 million euros. The company is jointly owned by the FAI and IRFU through a 50-50 joint venture structure known as the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company, which holds a 60-year lease expiring in 2070, when the stadium will revert to sole IRFU ownership. The venue has hosted more than 10 million attendees across more than 300 major events since opening, generating approximately 4.5 billion euros in economy-wide expenditure according to a recent Indecon analysis. The stadium recently extended its naming rights partnership with Aviva, estimated at 26 million euros over five years through 2030.
McGann's appointment signals an emphasis on strengthened governance at a venue of acknowledged national significance. The selection of a figure with substantial multinational corporate experience and a proven record managing complex commercial transitions suggests the board seeks to broaden commercial opportunities and event portfolio expansion as the stadium faces intensified competition from upgraded European venues and as event rights become more strategically contested among major sports and entertainment properties. The timing also reflects strategic maturation of the venue beyond its initial role as national rugby and football home into a multipurpose entertainment and conferencing asset, a transition that typically requires experienced external governance to balance the interests of multiple stakeholders including rival governing bodies, government, and commercial partners.
