Rugby, boxing and much more as Doncaster Rovers' home ground set for spring and summer overdrive
Doncaster Rovers have just two home games left this season - but that doesn't mean the Eco-Power Stadium simply shuts down until August.
Rovers host Lincoln City next Tuesday (April 21) and then welcome Stevenage four days later in their final home fixture of the 2025-26 campaign.
But a string of events are booked in to the schedule between then and late July. Of course, as co-tenants, Doncaster RLFC have a clutch of home games in the diary with at least five from now until July 24. Speaking of rugby league, it was announced on Monday that DN4 will again play host to a prestigious Challenge Cup semi-final. Hull KR will face Warrington on Sunday, May 10.
That comes less than a week before Doncaster boxer Dave Allen (May 16) makes a joyous homecoming headline fight as he goes up against Filip Hrgović in a bumper TV card. Other notable dates at the stadium include the now annual Donnyfest music event as well as the Eve Merton Legends match - the UK's biggest annual charity football event.
The downtime for the stadium looks to be around mid-June until late July, during which the "enhanced renovation works" which the club recently announced can take place.
Speaking to Rovers' website last week head groundsman Tom Martin said: "Our ambition is to operate among the best pitches in the league, and this summer’s renovations are an important investment towards that goal."
The state of the pitch has become a thorny issue at Rovers especially, with manager Grant McCann and winger Luke Molyneux recently bemoaning the quality of the surface after a harsh winter. Molyneux described the pitch as a "danger hazard" after a recent league game.
McCann, meanwhile, admits it is a balancing act trying to keep the pitch in a good state whilst at the same time realising the stadium has to accommodate non-football events.
He said: "I know, as a football club, that Gavin (Baldwin, chief exec) and Terry (Bramall, chairman) are working really hard to put in place a really good pitch for us. But I also know that what's really important for the city is the boxing events and the music festival that are held here. Those are important from a finance point of view so it's about getting the balance right really."
Eco-Power Stadium confirmed events:
April 18 - Dons v Salford
April 21 - Rovers v Lincoln
April 25 - Rovers v Stevenage
April 26 - Dons v Broncos
April 28 - Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup Final (Men's)
April 29 - Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup Final (Women's)
May 1 - Dons v NW Crusaders
May 10 - Rugby League Challenge Cup semi-final
May 16 - Boxing event headlined by Dave Allen
May 20 - Dons v Barrow
May 23 - Eve Merton charity match
June 6 - Donnyfest
July 24 - Dons v Batley