Is Croke Park really ready for NFL kick-off?

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The 250,000 or so people that sang along to the greatest hits of Oasis and Robbie Williams in Croke Park last month had a great time. "We need to find a new word because this ain't just nostalgia," support act Richard Ashcroft told UK radio. Oasis shared footage of thousands of people singing along to their set list outside the venue, while Robbie Williams declared his gig "was the best ever".

Speaking to people that attended afterwards, the praise kept flowing. Oasis' catalogue of hits blasted out one after another. The swaying lights of thousands of phones for Robbie Williams showcased Croke Park's magnificence at its finest. But then slowly and reluctantly, as fans changed their focus from the music to logistics, the positivity faded away.

As chief operating officer at Football Supporters Europe, I spent several years working in and around match operations for some of the biggest games in football. Since the chaotic Champions League final in 2022, UEFA has placed significant emphasis on providing positive, day-long experiences for match-going fans and not only those in the VIP section.

No major event will be 100% seamless or without issue, but the shift in approach has been both significant and essential. Supporter representatives - people with first-hand expertise of what good match operations look like from fans' perspective - are now a key element of the preparation work alongside UEFA's own personnel.

Together we reviewed matchday preparations and provided advice and insight on crowd dynamics, best practice, and the necessity of providing minimum standards around service considerations. Every single person working at the Croke Park gigs will have been trained and received a pre-event briefing.

The Croke Park experience

The Council of Europe, of which Ireland is a member state, outlines that an integrated approach to safety, security and service at sports events is best practice. However, going on my own personal experience, experiences of those I've spoken to, and experiences shared online since, it's hard to believe any discussions were held to ensure fans, many of whom paid hundreds of euros for a ticket, had an enjoyable and relatively stress-free evening.

MCD issued guidance ahead of the concert dates that included basic regulations and stated that no one with a standing ticket could bring in a drink container. Those in the stands were permitted a collapsible 'water skin'.

In 2025, access to drinking water isn't a luxury, it's a human right - especially for those with medical conditions or older in age. If containers are an issue from a security perspective, then really cheaply priced - or preferably free - water must be widely available throughout venues and well after the concerts finish.

Food is also on MCD's prohibited items list. There will be commercial and security arguments put forward, but aside from creating unnecessary food waste and sustainability challenges, dietary requirements - particularly those that aren't optional for people - need to be fully accommodated at all venues.

For those on the pitch at Croke Park, it seemed to be a choice of burgers from insulated food bags with no obvious allergen information or make the rather unappealing journey back to the catering stalls at the stadium perimeter.

Bags larger than A4 size were not allowed. Unfortunately, this is standard across the world these days but this measure needs further thought at music events, especially when you have people travelling into cities on the day.

Fans with standing tickets were advised to bring weather precautions - suncream, rain jackets etc - but equally advised of a strict bag policy, searches, and no storage facilities. My bag was given a cursory look, a friend's bag none at all, while other bags were clearly tagged having been properly checked.

Very real safety concerns came while trying to access the pitch area itself. A colossal 'one-way' system funnelled thousands of people through one relatively narrow gate, in under the Davin Stand, and around to a pitch entrance at the opposite side of the stadium.

Not a single staff member or sign advised what was happening and as people's pace slowed to a crawl because of the sheer volume around 7pm, only the patience of the fans prevented any type of swell or unintended surge forward. Large, visible signage showing this internal route and announcers providing repeated, clear guidance using megaphones could have changed this quite tense experience.

Groups wandered in confusion, asking questions aloud that went unanswered. Makeshift urinals dotted the route. These consisted of fabric-type sheeting attached to what looked like temporary wooden frames. In a time when there are a variety of portable solutions widely available, this sight was disgusting, smacked of a cheap solution, and only catered for one gender.

Much of the post-concert chat focused on why only one beer brand and water were available from the mobile bars within the pitch area. No one was allowed to bring any other type of drink (cider, minerals) into the pitch aside from these, and this is the one requirement that had plenty of signage around the venue.

Commercial factors are likely involved, but at what stage were customer choice and comfort eliminated from those discussions? Alcohol consumption continues to fall in Ireland so these 'exclusive' arrangements need to be revisited for every event.

As disgusting as the urinals were, they were at least nearby. Anyone not able to use them had to complete the entire one-way loop to use one of the portaloos back towards the stadium perimeter. This area was poorly lit, and most toilets seemed to have very dim or no internal lighting.

It boggles the mind how this was deemed acceptable, as it excludes people with chronic illnesses, non-wheelchair mobility challenges, and potentially women on a heavy period. Sanitary facilities need to be sanitary (clean, stocked, well lit, actively maintained), and if your stomach is churning a little right now, it's an appropriate response.

Getting out of the stadium brought more discomfort. People with mobility issues and others overwhelmed by tightly packed streets struggled in poor lighting and on uneven surfaces. Footfall slowed and stopped completely at times as people checked their phone for directions.

Crowds trust and listen to announcements in these situations, and this was a glaring omission on the night. Good-humoured stewards repeating directions and providing alternative options would have been appreciated by a crowd in good form, and it may also have helped with some of the delays experienced for various train and bus services later on.

As brilliant as it is to have these now-international events in Ireland, music fans deserve to be treated with more respect. Can we honestly say that treating people so poorly is acceptable?

The NFL International Series

Thousands of US sports fans will make their way to Croke Park this weekend as the NFL's International Series comes to Dublin. Keeping in mind recent criticism of hotel pricing around big events by two Government ministers and the different type of audience it will bring, it is vital that we see collective change from all stakeholders involved.

It's unlikely that well-heeled American football fans will be as understanding of Croke Park's limitations as nostalgic middle-aged music fans, particularly those who are on a longed-for big visit to their ancestral home.

Organisers and venue owners need to rebalance their approach and ensure the voice and experiences of fans are included in future preparations with specific and urgent priority given to minimum service standards. Music fans, like football fans, also need to organise themselves and make this happen.

The smallest of changes can make an immediate difference, unless we're going to wait for something serious to happen before doing the right thing.