Katie Taylor faces Flora Pili at Croke Park, Dublin on Saturday, 5 September 2026 - her final professional fight. Croke Park gates open at 4pm, with ringwalks for the main event expected around 10:10pm. All 80,000 tickets sold out fast, and Aircoach connects Dublin Airport, Belfast, Derry/L'Derry and Cork to stops within walking distance of the stadium.
Katie Taylor is bringing her career full circle in the most fitting place imaginable. On Saturday, 5 September 2026, the Bray boxer steps into the ring at Croke Park for the final fight of her professional career, facing undefeated French challenger Flora Pili in front of 80,000 fans.
It's the send-off she always dreamed of, in the stadium she always wanted. And whether you're one of the lucky ticket holders or heading into the city to soak up a once-in-a-lifetime atmosphere, one thing matters just as much as the fight itself: getting there without the stress.
That's where we come in. Here's everything you need to know about the fight, plus the easiest way to reach Croke Park on the night.
Why is Katie Taylor's Croke Park fight so historic?
Katie Taylor is one of Ireland's greatest ever sporting figures. A London 2012 Olympic gold medallist and multi-weight world champion, she's spent almost a decade at the very top of professional boxing, breaking new ground for the sport at every turn.
This fight carries extra weight for a few reasons:
- It's her farewell. After 27 professional fights, Taylor is calling time on a remarkable career - and she gets to do it on home soil.
- It's the best-attended boxing match in Irish history. With 80,000 fans packing out Croke Park, few sporting occasions in the country will ever match it.
- It's a rare boxing moment for the stadium. The last professional boxing event at Croke Park was Muhammad Ali versus Al Lewis, all the way back in July 1972.
- It's one of the largest female sporting events in the world. A landmark night for women's boxing, and for Irish sport as a whole.
When and where is Katie Taylor fighting in Croke Park?
Here are the key details for the night:
- Date: Saturday, 5 September 2026
- Venue: Croke Park, Jones' Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 3
- Gates open: 4pm
- First bout: 4:15pm
- Taylor v Pili ringwalks: expected around 10:10pm (times subject to change)
All 80,000 tickets were snapped up within hours. But if you didn't get one, don't worry, you can still be part of it. In Ireland, the fight is live and free-to-air on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, with radio commentary on RTÉ 2FM. Streaming platform DAZN carries the event worldwide on a subscription basis.
Who is Katie Taylor fighting at Croke Park?
Taylor faces Flora Pili, a 29-year-old French boxer with an unbeaten 12-0 record. Pili is the mandatory challenger for Taylor's IBF super-lightweight title and the top-ranked contender for the vacant WBC belt, so this is far from a farewell formality.
Taylor, 40, carries a 25-1 record into the bout and is aiming to become an undisputed champion once again. With all four major world titles on the line, she'll be determined to bow out in style - and Pili will be equally determined to spoil the party.
How do you get to Croke Park?
Croke Park sits on Jones' Road in Drumcondra, just a short hop from Dublin city centre. It's well connected, but event days bring big crowds so it's worth planning your route in advance.
Driving to Croke Park
You can reach the stadium via major routes like the M50 and N7, but driving on the night is tricky. There's no parking at Croke Park, road closures will be in place, and demand for nearby spaces peaks sharply on event days. An Garda Síochána will run a traffic management plan, so the roads around the stadium will be busy.
For most fans, leaving the car at home is the smarter call.
Getting to Croke Park with Aircoach
If you'd rather skip the parking panic and the late-night traffic, we've got you covered. Our services run 24/7, connect major Irish cities directly to Dublin, and drop you within walking distance of the stadium. Sit back, relax and let us handle the bit in the middle.
From Dublin Airport: Flying in for the fight? Our 700 and 700X routes run frequent services from Dublin Airport to Drumcondra Station up to every 15 minutes during peak times. From there, it's just a 10-minute walk to Croke Park.
From Belfast or Derry/L'Derry: Our 705X intercity express connects Derry/L'Derry and Belfast directly to Dublin city centre, stopping at O'Connell Street Upper. Croke Park is under a 25-minute walk from there - with plenty of spots for a pre-fight bite along the way.
From Cork: Our 704X service takes you from Lower Glanmire Road in Cork to Bachelor's Walk in the heart of Dublin, a 30-minute walk from the stadium. It runs until 1am every night, so you can stay right to the final bell.
For more information, see our full guide on how to get to Croke Park.
Why travel to the fight with Aircoach?
For a night this big, the last thing you want is a stressful journey bookending it. Here's why the coach makes sense:
- No parking hassles. Skip the traffic, the road closures and the hunt for a space.
- Reliable, frequent service. Dependable departures from Dublin Airport, Cork, Belfast and Derry/L'Derry.
- Stops close to the action. Every route drops you within walking distance of Croke Park.
- Affordable travel. No hefty taxi fares, parking charges or toll fees - more money to spend on the night.
- Comfortable throughout. Enjoy on-board WiFi, reclining seats and air conditioning, plus onboard toilets on our 704X and 705X services.
- Flexible tickets. Add the Flexi option so you're not rushing off early if the night runs long.
Frequently asked questions
What date is Katie Taylor fighting in Croke Park?
Katie Taylor fights Flora Pili at Croke Park on Saturday, 5 September 2026. It's the final professional fight of her career.
What time is the Katie Taylor fight at Croke Park?
Croke Park gates open at 4pm and the first bout starts at 4:15pm. The ringwalks for the Taylor v Pili main event are expected at around 10:10pm, though all timings are subject to change.
Can I still watch the fight if I don't have a ticket?
Yes. All 80,000 tickets sold out quickly, but the fight is live and free-to-air on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, with radio commentary on RTÉ 2FM. DAZN streams it worldwide on a subscription basis.
What's the easiest way to get to Croke Park?
With no parking at the stadium and road closures on the night, public transport is your best bet. Aircoach runs services from Dublin Airport (700 and 700X), Belfast and Derry/L'Derry (705X) and Cork (704X), each stopping within walking distance of Croke Park.
How do I get home after the fight?
Aircoach runs evening and late-night services, so you can avoid taxi surge prices and busy roads. See our full routes and timetables for more information.
Get there ready for the main event
Katie Taylor's farewell is one of those nights people will talk about for years - a genuine once-in-a-lifetime moment for Irish sport. The fight will take care of itself. Let us take care of the journey.
Book your bus to Dublin with Aircoach and arrive at Croke Park ready to enjoy every second.