Ulster will host the first Guinness Pro12 'destination final' as organisers opt to do away with the previous format of awarding the highest placed finisher home advantage for the season's finale.
The "state of the art" Kingspan Stadium has fended off competition from all of the 12 clubs in the competition, namely Glasgow Warriors, and will now bring the club rugby spectacle to Belfast shortly after the city has already held the Giro D'Italia and Carl Frampton's World Title fight.
The stadium previously known as Ravenhill, the home of Ulster Rugby, has met capacity requirements for the final after recent development work there - Kingspan can now hold 18,000 spectators.
Ulster are currently fifth in the league standings, two points off the top four and a subsequent semi-final place, yet with a shift in their injury fortunes and a well-due turn in form a home final appearance on Saturday May 30th 2015 is certainly not beyond their capabilities.
As it stands both Munster and Leinster are set up to make it an All-Ireland Pro12 final as they place third and fourth respectively leaving them on opposite ends of a possible semi-final tie. Connacht trail Ulster by six points in sixth place.
Tickets will go on public sale on Tuesday 3rd February through Ticketmaster and Ulster Rugby. The Guinness PRO12 Final will be broadcast live on TV by Sky Sports and other broadcast partners to be confirmed once finalists are known.
John Feehan, CEO of PRO12 Rugby said; "Belfast is an inspiring host city and the new Kingspan Stadium is a state-of-the-art venue for the Guinness PRO12 Final. Given the development of the competition the time is right for a showcase event and we invited offers from all 12 clubs & their regions to host the Final.
“The tender from ‘Team Belfast’ was outstanding and was unanimously agreed as the chosen venue. Belfast excelled itself as the host city for our PRO12 season launch in 2013 and their plans for the City in the lead up to and around the Final are very exciting.”
