THE ROYAL Dublin Society in Ballsbridge are currently in discussions with four companies to sell their stadium naming rights for a figure between €15 to €20 million.

The RDS chief executive Michael Duffy confirmed yesterday they hope to complete the tendering process in the next six to nine months. This would allow the society and Leinster rugby to go ahead with plans to redevelop the stadium.

However, this will not be done in time for the 2013 Amlin Challenge Cup final. It was announced yesterday that the RDS will host the ERC’s second-tier final on May 17th next year, on the eve of the Heineken Cup final at the Aviva Stadium.

“We are in discussions with Leinster to increase the capacity from 18,500 to 23,000,” Duffy told The Irish Times. “We are looking at how we fund that, namely with a naming rights partnership. That process is in hand but it is going to take probably another year to two years to complete and begin the expansion of the entire ground.”

Whoever purchases the naming rights will be associated with the Leinster Rugby brand as the province play the majority of their home games at the RDS, including the Pro12 final against the Ospreys on Sunday week.

“We are talking to four separate parties but there is still a ways to go,” Duffy explained. “It is quite a developed process. We have people at the table for discussions, we got them engaged.

“The facility we have to offer is excellent, what with Leinster, the Horse Show and concerts so it is just about getting the right fit. We hope to conclude that process within six to nine months but these things have a pace of their own.”

The Aviva insurance company paid an estimated €40 million to secure the naming rights of Lansdowne Road in 2009.

Only when a deal is agreed with a new title sponsor – insurance, airline and motor industry companies are reportedly interested – can the proposed €17 million redevelopment of the entire ground commence. The RDS and Leinster rugby will contribute financially to this process, as Duffy explained: “The society will also use its own funds to invest, (along with) Leinster Rugby sponsorship and third party funding.”

The ERC awarding of the Amlin final to the RDS was not influenced, either way, by the grounds inability to redevelop its facilities within the next 12 months. There was already significant work done on the new grandstand, rebuilt in 2006 with a roof added in 2008, to cater for Leinster’s 13,500 season ticket holders.

“We don’t feel the need to make any changes, it is perfectly adequate,” said ERC chief executive Derek McGrath yesterday.

McGrath also highlighted the 5,000 “golden tickets” deal, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, that will give supporters access to both European finals next year and over 30 tourist attractions in Dublin city, including air coach tickets and tours of both the Aviva Stadium and Croke Park.

Tickets will cost €75 (category two seats) or €99 (category one seats) with the public allocation going on sale next Monday.

Tickets for just the Heineken Cup final at the Aviva next year range from €35 up to €65, with the Amlin tickets starting at €15 up to €55.

“This is the first year we have been able to get the ticketing in line to offer both the finals at the same time,” McGrath continued.

“People want to make decisions at least six months out, so they can get the tickets and hotels in advance.”

ERC research revealed that Cardiff received an injection of €30 million into their local economy over last year’s final weekend, with 84 per cent of fans travelling from outside Wales and 61 per cent staying at least one night in the host city.

Speaking at yesterday’s announcement Leo Varadkar, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, said: “I am delighted to be here today and I’m really looking forward to Dublin being transformed into the European capital of rugby next year. Only last week we officially launched the Gathering Ireland 2013, which encourages everyone with an Irish connection to return home next year.”

Meanwhile, with an 82,000 sell-out confirmed for Saturday’s Heineken Cup final between Ulster and Leinster at Twickenham, McGrath said it was a challenge that only equated to demand for the 2009 European semi-final between Leinster and Munster.

“The pressure on tickets this weekend is just huge,” said McGrath. “It’s as big as we saw the pressure for the Croke Park semi-final, which is a great problem to have.”