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Katie Taylor will box for the final time on Saturday in a farewell that has captured national attention. The former world champion meets **Flora Pili** at Dublin’s **Croke Park**, a stadium packed after tickets sold out in 30 minutes.
When and where
The event is scheduled for Saturday, 5 September 2026, at Croke Park. Organisers expect the main ring walks to begin at around 10pm.
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Tickets vanished quickly after going on sale. The choice of Croke Park — the heart of the GAA — underlines the scale of the occasion.
What Katie has said and the payday
In a video released by Matchroom Boxing, Taylor reflected on her career and motivations. She said: “Look at the life that (boxing) has given me and look at the memories that it’s given me. I just wanted to elevate the sport and pursue my passion, and this is what I love to do.”
She previously offered to fight at the venue for free if needed, though reports estimate her earnings for this bout start at around €2 million.
Undercard
A full supporting card will precede the headliner. Key matchups confirmed for the night include:
- Paddy Donovan vs Tyrone McKenna — welterweight
- Taylor Bevan vs Emmet Brennan — super-middleweight
- Joe McGrail vs Matthew Boreland — super-bantamweight
- Dave Allen vs Thomas Carty — heavyweight
- Molly McCann vs Sylwia Doligala — bantamweight
Music and ceremony
Entertainment will complement the sporting bill. Irish pop group **Westlife** will perform on the night. The band said they were “so honoured to be asked by Katie to perform at this historic night” and added they were proud to play at Croke Park.
Singer **Róisín O** will also appear, joining her cousin Aoife Scott for a duet during the programme.
Arrival, opening times and transport
Croke Park opens to the public from 4pm. Local road closures are expected because the venue sits in a residential area; organisers advise checking transport updates closer to the event.
Public transport options include the Luas Red Line to Connolly or Busáras and the Green Line to Parnell or Marlborough, both within walking distance of the stadium. The nearest DART stations are Connolly and Clontarf.
Several bus services stop near Croke Park, including routes 1, 7, 11, 13, 14, 16, 22, 27a, 27b, 32, 33, 40, 40b, 41 (and variants), 42, 43, 53 and 123.
How to watch
For those without tickets, national television coverage is available. **RTÉ** begins its broadcast from 8pm on the night, carrying the build-up and the main event.
The bout marks the end of a landmark career that helped raise the profile of women’s boxing in Ireland and beyond. Many will tune in to see how Taylor closes her competitive chapter.
