Bray is set to host a major big-screen event for Katie Taylor’s final fight, with the Croke Park showdown now confirmed to be shown live on the seafront.
The event will give fans in Taylor’s hometown the chance to watch her final professional fight together after tickets for the historic Croke Park bout sold out within just 30 minutes.
Taylor will take on undefeated French boxer Flora Pili on September 5 in what is expected to be the final fight of her career.
The Bray screening was initially proposed by Independent councillor Joe Behan, who said there had been huge disappointment among local people who were unable to get tickets for the Croke Park event.
The proposal was subsequently considered by Wicklow County Council, with the seafront now confirmed as the location for the public screening.
Councillor Behan, who previously taught at St Fergal’s National School in Bray, which Taylor attended as a child, said there had been strong support for the idea locally.
“A lot of people contacted me to say they were disappointed that they couldn’t get tickets. If Katie had any involvement, it would be a different story, but that’s not how these events work. People are really proud of her here in Bray in particular, and want the opportunity to be able to watch her final fight,” he said.
Taylor’s Croke Park fight went on sale through Ticketmaster on June 12, with tickets selling out in around half an hour.
The huge demand has also led to tickets appearing on resale platforms and social media, with some being offered for thousands of euro.
One Facebook group dedicated to buying and selling tickets for Taylor’s 2026 fights has almost 20,000 members.
Tickets have also appeared on DoneDeal, with prices ranging from €266 for two tickets to €3,200 for VIP ringside seats.
When tickets originally went on sale, Ticketmaster said prices ranged from €43.55 to €766.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has previously warned fans to be particularly careful when buying tickets through social media or classified advertisements.
“There are several ways consumers can be fooled into buying a fake or non-existent ticket, including duplicate ticket sales, fake ticket sales and social media scams,” a CCPC spokesperson said.
“Be very wary about buying tickets on social media or through classified ads.”
The Bray screening will now provide fans who missed out on tickets with an opportunity to be part of the occasion in Taylor’s hometown.
Taylor, who grew up in Bray, is Ireland’s most decorated and successful boxer and has become one of the country’s most recognisable sporting figures.
Her final fight will take place at Croke Park on September 5, where she will face Pili in front of what is expected to be a huge home crowd.
The seafront screening is also expected to attract large numbers of supporters as Bray prepares to celebrate one of its most famous sporting stars.
The event comes amid a growing trend of public viewing parties and fan zones being organised for major sporting occasions.
The Event Industry Association of Ireland has previously called for a national framework to make it easier for local authorities to organise public screenings of major events.
Elaine O’Connor, co-founder of the EIAI, said public screenings can provide an important alternative for people who cannot secure or afford tickets.
“Viewing parties and fan zone areas, they are on the gradual rise in Ireland. People need a way to experience these events of national importance collectively,” she said.
“Fan zones and public screenings can provide an important alternative for people who cannot secure or afford tickets to major events.”
