Tradition Meets Tension as RDS Members Push Back on New Laya Arena Name
So, there’s been quite a bit of chatter lately about the Royal Dublin Society and its newly renamed venue, now officially called the Laya Arena. And while the big reveal has been positioned as a fresh, forward-looking moment for the RDS, the reaction inside the membership hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing. In fact, many long-time members have bristled at being told what to call a place they’ve known all their lives simply as “the RDS.”
This whole story actually stretches back nearly a decade. Laya Healthcare had already been linked informally with the naming rights of the RDS’s main arena as far back as 2015. Even though the sponsorship wasn’t officially confirmed until this week, the association hung around for years as redevelopment plans stalled and restarted. Now, with the €52 million upgrade finally nearing completion by next summer, the name “Laya Arena” has been locked in as part of a major sponsorship agreement involving Laya Healthcare, the RDS, and Leinster Rugby.
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To mark the announcement, the RDS leadership circulated an internal message to the society’s 2,900 members. The tone of the note was, let’s just say, direct. Members were told that their support in “consistently calling the arena by its new name” was not only appreciated but essential. According to RDS chief executive Paul Kelly, failing to adopt the new name could “risk damaging” the organisation’s relationship with Laya and potentially undermine future sponsorship opportunities. It was meant as straightforward guidance, but for some members, it landed more like an instruction — and not a welcome one.
For many within the RDS community, the identity of the venue has always felt untouchable, rooted in centuries of tradition. To be told outright to use a corporate name didn’t sit well, especially with those who see the RDS as an institution that stands above branding trends. Some viewed the directive as heavy-handed, and perhaps not the ideal introduction for a CEO only a few months into the role.
Meanwhile, outside the membership debate, the newly christened Laya Arena is being positioned as a major cultural and sporting hub. With redesigned stands, improved accessibility, and a focus on sustainability — including solar energy and advanced water systems — the rebuilt arena is intended to deliver a modern, immersive experience. Its first major event will be the Dublin Horse Show in August 2026, marking the venue’s official return to the spotlight.
Still, even as the arena steps into a new chapter, the underlying tension remains: to many, the RDS will always be the RDS, sponsorship or not. And no matter how modern the facilities become, that deep-rooted loyalty isn’t being redesigned anytime soon.
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