The stadiums that compare with the new Lansdowne

Ireland’s rugby side will run out for the first time in their new home week, but how does the re-developed Lansdowne Road shape up with the newest stadiums around the globe?

IRELAND’S RUGBY TEAM will settle into their new home next week with an Aviva Stadium bow against the Springboks.

Like most state-of-the-art grounds constructed in recent years, it boasts some pretty pimped-out features.

A continuous ‘curvilinear-shaped’ stand enclosing all four sides of the famous ground, wider concourses and ‘comfortable spatial allowances’ for the huskier egg-chasing enthusiast – and three-second pints at the 18 bars.

Win, lose or draw – it’s a good game at Lansdowne Road for Ireland fans these days. But which other new arenas are up there with the Aviva Stadium?

The stadiums that compare with the new Lansdowne

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Yankees Stadium, The Bronx
Home to: New York Yankees Opened:2009 Capacity:52,325 Cost:€1.1bn - seriously Special Features: Trademark frieze along the upper deck from the old park, which was located across the street - Monument Park with plaques of Yankee greats and retired numbers - Batter's Eye, the black-tinted window sports bar in center field
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
Home to: Melbourne Storm (NRL), Melbourne Rebels (Super Rugby), and A-League teams Melbourne Victory, Melbourne Heart. Opened: 2010 Capacity: 30,500 Cost: €190million Special Features: The city's first purpose-built-for-football stadium has a distinctive "Bioframe" design, with a geodesic (look it up) dome roof covering much of the seating area.Source: Flickr/Jene Rene
Citi Field, Queens
Home to: New York Mets Opened:2009 Capacity: 41,800 Cost: €650million Special Features: The beautiful front entrance of features a rotunda named after Brooklyn Dodgers legend Jackie Robinson and honors his life and accomplishments. Classy.Source: Flickr/David Berkowitz
Cowboys Stadium
Home to: The Dallas Cowboys Opened: 2009 Capacity:80,000 - over 100k with the tailgate party at one end in which fans watch on the big screen Cost: €1bn Special Features: In true Texas style, the stadium is the largest domed arena in the world - Largest HD video screen in the world which hangs from 20-yard line to 20-yard lineSource: Albert Pena/Cal Sport Media/ZUMA Press
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
Home to: Indiana Colts and other state teams Opened: 2008 Capacity: 63,000 Cost: €520million Special Features: A retractable roof that can open up to 4.5 acres of daylight. - Retractable glass wall that can be opened to allow more light or closed depending on weather and also offers a gorgeous view of the downtown skyline.Source: Flickr/SteveBillieJene
New Meadowlands Stadium
Home to: New York Giants and New York Jets Opened: 2010 Capacity: 82,000 Cost: 1.1billion Special Features: - Can be converted from Jets to Giants theme in hours - Will host 2014 Super Bowl - 20 large video boards around the stadium
Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Home to: New Jersey Devils HNL team Opened: 2007 Capacity: 17,625 Cost: €270million Cool Features: - 4,800 square foot external LED screen - Fire and Ice Lounges for pre and post-game lubrication Source: Flickr/alpineinc
Wembley Stadium, London
Home to: England's national football team Opened: 2007 Capacity: 90,000 Cost:€915million Special Features: The famous Wembley Arch has a cross-sectional diameter greater than that of a cross-channel Eurostar train. So there. Source: Sean Dempsey/PA
Aviva Stadium, Ballsbridge, Dublin
Home to: Irish soccer and rugby Opened: 2010 Capacity: 51,700 Cost: €410million Special Features: Distinctive glass wall behind one goal/try line - will host the Europa League Final