Undisputed super-lightweight champion Katie Taylor will face undefeated mandatory challenger Flora Pili at Croke Park on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The 39-year-old Irish icon (25-1, 6 KOs) intends for this homecoming bout to serve as her professional retirement. Taylor currently holds the WBA, WBO, IBF, and Ring Magazine titles at 140 pounds.
She will also contest the vacant WBC Super Lightweight Championship in an attempt to become a three-time undisputed champion in her final appearance.
The event marks the first professional boxing card staged at Croke Park since Muhammad Ali defeated Al “Blue” Lewis in 1972. Organisers have confirmed that the ring will be positioned in the exact same spot Ali’s was over half a century ago.
Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn and Taylor’s manager Brian Peters have teased a show that extends beyond standard sport. They are promoting the night as a cultural landmark involving “a couple of stages” and significant musical entertainment.
Flora Pili, 28, travels from France with a perfect 12-0 record and two knockouts. The IBF mandatory challenger recently claimed the IBO women’s super-lightweight belt via a majority decision over Jelena Janivijevic. While Taylor remains the heavy favourite, Pili represents the final hurdle in the champion’s quest for a historic exit.
Taylor hopes the scale of the 82,300-capacity event will inspire a new generation of athletes across Ireland.
Musical rumours surround Katie Taylor Croke Park farewell
The “farewell fight” is being billed as more than a boxing card, with intense speculation focused on who will provide the musical entertainment. Manager Brian Peters and promoter Peter Aiken of Aiken Promotions are reportedly planning a multi-stage production. Peters has even compared the historical significance of the night to a papal visit to Ireland, suggesting a scale rarely seen in combat sports.
While no acts are officially confirmed, rumours of Ed Sheeran’s involvement have circulated in the Irish press since last month. Reports suggest Peters may have been the source of those initial whispers to gauge public reaction. Additionally, the iconic Irish group Westlife has been frequently mentioned as a potential performer.
Taylor herself addressed these rumours on Saturday, June 6, 2026, stating she has “no idea” about the entertainment side but expects an amazing event.
Despite Taylor’s personal admiration for Bruce Springsteen, the American rock star is not currently linked to the event through official rumours. Promoter Peter Aiken has a long history of bringing Springsteen and Garth Brooks to the stadium, fueling some fan theories, but the focus remains on Sheeran and Westlife. Roy Jones Jr.
recently announced separate rematches for this month, but the attention of the boxing world remains firmly on the unique atmosphere being built for Dublin.
Ticketing and financial impact of the 82,300-capacity event
The homecoming is expected to be a massive financial success, with projected ticket revenue reaching €12 million. The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) is also set to benefit, with a forecasted net of €1 million from hosting the show. Title Event Partner Lidl Ireland has signed on to support what DAZN VP Alfie Sharman calls “one of the most significant moments in Irish sporting history.”
General ticket sales launch on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 9:00 AM Irish Standard Time through Ticketmaster. Matchroom Fight Pass holders can access a pre-sale starting Wednesday, June 10. Prices are designed to accommodate various budgets, starting at €38.70 for general admission. This tiered pricing helps avoid the social media scrutiny faced by other top fighters regarding their commercial accessibility and fan engagement.
Pitchside seating options will range from €106.25 to as high as €1,505.50 for premium views. Families can purchase dedicated packages for €125.50, which provide seating in a non-alcohol section of the stadium. A maximum service charge of €10.50 will apply to each ticket. Organisers expect the 82,300 seats to sell out rapidly given Taylor’s status as a national sporting hero.
Undercard details and global broadcast reach
DAZN will broadcast the entire card live worldwide, returning Taylor to her long-time streaming partner. Her last bout in July 2025—a trilogy-ending victory over Amanda Serrano—reportedly drew six million global views on Netflix. The Croke Park event focuses on consolidating Taylor’s legacy after years of high-stakes pressure.
Some fans find her career path reminiscent of how Jack Catterall calls out top champions to prove his standing in the division.
Eddie Hearn has promised an “incredible card” of supporting fights, noting massive interest from the Irish boxing community. However, the official undercard hasn’t been announced yet, and Matchroom plans to unveil those names in the coming weeks. The focus remains on showcasing local talent alongside the main event. Previous rumours of a Ronda Rousey crossover were dismissed by Taylor’s team as having “no real legs.”
To support the event’s promotion, Taylor began a four-day nationwide tour on Saturday, June 6, 2026. The tour kicked off in her hometown of Bray and will visit Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, and Belfast. This grassroots push ensures the “farewell fight” resonates across the entire island.
For Taylor, the night is about finishing her career where she always dreamed: in Ireland’s national stadium, fighting for undisputed status.
