Affidea Stadium: A Landmark Partnership with Ulster Rugby
A new partnership...
Affidea is proud to announce a landmark long-term partnership with Ulster Rugby, marking an exciting new chapter for both organisations and the wider Ulster community.
As part of this collaboration, the home of Ulster Rugby has officially been renamed the Affidea Stadium (pronounced AF-fi-day-ah). This partnership represents far more than a change in name. It reflects a shared commitment to excellence, community health and wellbeing, and the continued growth of rugby across the province.
Barry Downes, CEO of Affidea UK & Ireland, said:
“Affidea is thrilled to partner with Ulster Rugby, a club with rich heritage, passionate support, and a deep-rooted connection to the local community. This partnership represents an exciting opportunity for Affidea to further grow our presence and impact in the province of Ulster. Rugby is a game that inspires excellence, teamwork, and trust, values that align strongly with our approach to healthcare. We’re proud to see our name on a stadium that also represents those ideals.”
As one of Europe’s fastest growing healthcare providers, Affidea operates in over 16 countries with more than 410 clinics. Our presence in Ulster continues to grow, with Affidea Belfast (formerly Northern MRI) and two established clinics in Hillsborough, alongside approved plans for a state-of-the-art private hospital opening in 2026. This new facility is expected to create 160 jobs and will include a dedicated orthopaedic and sports medicine centre of excellence, reinforcing our commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible healthcare in the region.
This partnership with Ulster Rugby provides a powerful platform to further strengthen our connection with local communities. Rugby is deeply embedded in the fabric of Ulster, bringing people together through shared passion, pride and identity. By aligning with the sport, we aim to support both elite performance and grassroots participation, while promoting health, wellbeing and active lifestyles across all ages.
The Affidea Stadium will continue to host Ulster Rugby’s men’s and women’s teams, Academy fixtures, schools’ competitions and a wide range of community events. Alongside this, we will introduce refreshed stadium branding, match day activations and community-led initiatives designed to engage fans and support the development of the game at every level.
This collaboration also supports Ulster Rugby’s long-term vision for growth and investment in players, facilities and fan experience, while enabling Affidea to expand its reach and impact across one of the most passionate sporting regions in the UK and Ireland.
We look forward to the official unveiling of the Affidea Stadium branding ahead of the 2025/26 season, with further announcements and community initiatives to follow in the coming months.
Hugh McCaughey, CEO of Ulster Rugby, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Affidea as our new stadium naming rights partner. Affidea shares our passion for high performance, our commitment to the health and wellbeing of people across the province, and our vision for the future of rugby in Ulster. Together, we will continue to invest in elite and grassroots rugby, and we look forward to seeing the Affidea Stadium become a beacon for sport and community pride in Ulster.”
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