Ground Regulations

•    All persons entering Oriel Park are admitted strictly subject to these Ground Regulations and Conditions of Entry (“Ground Regulations”). 
•    By entering the stadium, you are deemed to have accepted these Ground Regulations and you agree to comply with all instructions issued by Dundalk FC staff, stewards, security and An Garda Síochána.
•    These Ground Regulations apply within the stadium and its precincts, including all entrances, turnstiles, concourses, toilets, stairways, gangways, seating areas and any other areas under the control of Dundalk FC.
•    Dundalk FC reserves the right to amend these Ground Regulations where reasonably required for safety, security, legal compliance or matchday operations.

1. Zero Tolerance on Pyrotechnics

Pyrotechnics are strictly prohibited at Oriel Park.
•    This includes, without limitation: flares, smoke canisters, smoke bombs, fireworks, distress signals, incendiary devices and any similar item.
•    For the avoidance of doubt: all pyrotechnics are banned at Oriel Park without exception.
•    Any person found to be in possession of, attempting to bring into the stadium, concealing, carrying for another person, passing, storing, using or attempting to use pyrotechnics may be:
o    refused entry and/or ejected;
o    have prohibited items confiscated;
o    reported to An Garda Síochána and/or referred to the relevant football authorities. 
o    Subject to Club disciplinary action, including a home and away ban for a significant period, and in serious cases  an indefinite/lifetime ban.

1.1 Promotion / Facilitation of Pyrotechnics
•    Any person who is found to be encouraging, organising, assisting, facilitating or promoting the use of pyrotechnics (including by coordinating, supplying, distributing, or sharing imagery/content for the purpose of encouraging such behaviour) will be treated as committing a serious breach of these Ground Regulations and may be subject to the sanctions set out above.

2. Prohibited Items
The following items are not permitted in Oriel Park:
•    bottles, glasses, cans or containers (except as permitted by the Club);
•    laser pens/pointers;
•    poles, flagpoles, rigid banner poles, rods or similar items (unless expressly approved by the Club);
•    whistles, sirens, horns, megaphones or any device intended to imitate or interfere with match officials’ signals or stadium safety announcements;
•    any article, container or object which may be used as a weapon, cause injury, damage property, obstruct views, create a safety risk or contribute to disorder; and any other item prohibited by the Club, stewards, An Garda Síochána, the FAI or League of Ireland regulations.
•    Any person in possession of prohibited items may be refused entry and/or ejected.

 

3. Face Coverings / Concealment of Identity
•    Balaclavas, ski masks, face coverings, or any item intended to conceal identity are not permitted in Oriel Park unless expressly approved in advance by Dundalk FC.
•    Any person wearing a face covering or item concealing identity without Club approval, or refusing an instruction to remove it for identification purposes, may be refused entry or ejected.
•    Dundalk FC reserves the right, at its absolute discretion, to determine whether any face covering or item is permitted.

​

4. Searches as a Condition of Entry
•    All supporters are subject to search as a condition of entry to Oriel Park. 
•    Searches may include visual checks, bag checks, electronic screening and/or physical searches, carried out by stewards, Club security and/or An Garda Síochána in accordance with law and stadium safety procedures.

Dundalk FC reserves the right to refuse entry and/or eject any person who:
•    refuses to be searched;
•    is found in possession of a prohibited item;
•    is suspected of concealing a prohibited item; or
•    fails to comply with a direction of stewards, Club officials, security or An Garda Síochána.

​

4.1 Child Safety / Concealment of Items
In the interests of child safety and public safety, prohibited items (including pyrotechnics) must not be concealed in or among:
•    children’s clothing;
•    prams/buggies;
•    baby carriers;
•    children’s bags; or
•    items carried on behalf of children.

​

Any attempt to use children or children’s belongings to conceal prohibited items will be treated as a serious breach of these Ground Regulations and may result in refusal of entry/ejection, Club sanctions and referral to An Garda Síochána.

​

5. Flags, Banners, Displays and Tifos
•    Flags, banners, displays and tifos may be brought into Oriel Park only with prior Club approval where required and are always subject to safety checks.
•    All banners, flags and displays are subject to full inspection/search before entry. Dundalk FC may require any such item to be:
o    fully unfurled/opened for inspection;
o    presented at a designated entry point; and/or
o    brought in through a separate admission process / separate entry point, as directed by the Club.

Any banner, flag or display item that:
•    is not approved where approval is required;
•    is not presented for inspection/search;
•    cannot be fully inspected;
•    contains prohibited materials;
•    contains offensive, discriminatory, threatening,or unlawful content; or
•    is considered unsafe or likely to obstruct views, gangways, aisles, exits, entrances, stairways, emergency routes, safety signage, CCTV sightlines, barriers or sponsor boards will not be permitted into the stadium.
•    Dundalk FC reserves the right to remove any banner, flag or display at any time.

6. Behaviour and Conduct
•    Supporters must behave in a safe and respectful manner at all times. The following are prohibited:
o    threatening, abusive or violent behaviour;
o    racist, discriminatory, sectarian, homophobic, misogynistic or other abusive language/behaviour;
o    conduct likely to cause danger, disorder, nuisance, alarm or distress; and
o    obstructing stewards, staff or emergency access routes.
•    Any person whose behaviour creates a safety risk or causes nuisance or disorder may be refused entry or ejected.
•    Spectators are prohibited from using whistles, sirens, horns, megaphones or any device intended to imitate or interfere with match officials’ signals or stadium safety announcements. Any such item may be confiscated and any person using it may be refused entry or ejected.

7. Throwing Objects / Missiles / Discharge of Substances
•    Throwing, attempting to throw, dropping, launching or discharging any object, liquid or substance is strictly prohibited, including towards:
o    the field of play;
o    players and match officials;
o    stewards, staff or contractors; or
o    other spectators
o    Spitting at any person is strictly prohibited and may result in immediate ejection and referral to An Garda Síochána.

8. Restricted Areas / Pitch Incursions
Unauthorised persons must not enter:
•    the field of play;
•    tunnel areas;
•    technical areas;
•    trackside areas;
•    operational or restricted areas; or
•    any members/staff/media-only section without authorisation.

Any person entering or remaining in an unauthorised area may be ejected and subject to Club sanctions and/or referral to An Garda Síochána.

​

9. Movement, Segregation and Crowd Management
•    Supporters must remain in their allocated area unless directed otherwise by stewards, Club officials, security or An Garda Síochána.
•    The moving from one area of the stadium to another without permission is forbidden. 
•    Supporters must comply with all segregation arrangements, routing instructions and controlled entry/exit procedures, including phased entry, hold-backs and phased release where required for safety or public order.
•    Failure to comply may result in refusal of entry or ejection.

​

10. Alcohol and Intoxication
•    The consumption of intoxicating liquor is permitted only in authorised areas and in accordance with Club licensing and safety arrangements. Persons are not permitted to bring alcohol into the stadium.
•    Dundalk FC reserves the right to refuse entry to or eject any person who is intoxicated or appears to be under the influence to a degree that may affect safety, public order or the enjoyment of others.

11. Climbing / Structural Safety
•    The unauthorised climbing of floodlight pylons, stands, barriers, railings, fences, roofs or other buildings/structures is forbidden. Any person engaging in such behaviour may be ejected and referred to An Garda Síochána.

12. Gangways, Exits and Safety Routes
•    Gangways, aisles, exits, entrances, stairways and emergency routes must be kept clear at all times. Standing, loitering or congregating in such areas is prohibited.
•    No item (including banners, flags or personal belongings) may be placed so as to obstruct gangways, exits, safety signage, emergency equipment, CCTV sightlines, barriers or sponsor boards.

13. Compliance with Stewards / Gardaí
•    Supporters must comply with all instructions given by stewards, Club officials, security and An Garda Síochána. Instructions may be given for safety, crowd management, emergency response, segregation, prevention of disorder and enforcement of these Ground Regulations.
•    Obstructing, threatening, abusing or assaulting a steward, Club official, contractor, volunteer, player, match official or member of An Garda Síochána is prohibited and may result in immediate ejection and referral to An Garda Síochána.

14. Photography, Filming, Media and Accreditation
•    Any person attending in a professional capacity (including photographers, videographers, media, contractors or staff) is subject to these Ground Regulations and any accreditation terms issued by Dundalk FC.
•    Dundalk FC may withdraw accreditation, refuse entry or eject any person who records, shares, supplies or distributes content in a manner that encourages, coordinates or facilitates prohibited conduct, including (without limitation) the use of pyrotechnics, violence, disorder, pitch incursions or damage to property.
•    Breaches may result in immediate removal, withdrawal of accreditation, a stadium ban (including home and away fixtures), and referral to An Garda Síochána and/or the relevant football authorities where appropriate.

15. Sales / Distribution / Unauthorised Activity
•    Only persons authorised in writing by Dundalk FC are permitted to offer for sale or distribute any newspaper, periodical or any other article within the stadium precinct.
•    Unauthorised trading, leafleting, collecting, canvassing or promotional activity is prohibited.

16. Damage to Property
•    Any person found damaging, defacing or interfering with property, equipment, seating, barriers, signage, toilets, pitch or stadium infrastructure may be ejected, may be prosecuted and may be pursued for the cost of repair/replacement and associated losses.

17. CCTV and Recording
•    CCTV  may be in operation in and around Oriel Park for safety, security, crime prevention, investigation and enforcement purposes.
•    Footage and images may be used and shared where lawful with An Garda Síochána and relevant football authorities.

18. Right of Admission / Sanctions
The right of admission is reserved to Dundalk FC / Ground Management.
Breaches of these Ground Regulations may result in one or more of the following:
•    refusal of entry;
•    ejection from the stadium;
•    confiscation of prohibited items;
•    cancellation/withdrawal of ticket or season ticket;
•    home and away bans (for a significant period, and in serious cases indefinitely/lifetime);
•    referral to An Garda Síochána;
•    referral to the FAI / League of Ireland or other competent bodies where appropriate.

​

19. General
•    Persons are admitted to this ground subject to their acceptance of these Ground Regulations and the rules of the FAI and League of Ireland. Entry to the ground constitutes unqualified acceptance.
•    In the event of the match being postponed or abandoned, any refund of the admission charge will be at the sole discretion of the Club management and subject to any notified time limitation and ticketing terms. 
•    Spectators are advised to retain their ticket/ticket record as it may be required to be produced at a later date.