Waterford's next league fixture at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium will be the last before major stadium work is completed by their hosts. Derry City Football Club announced this week that contractors have started removing over 2,000 seats in the Southend Stand for a full replacement, with the project scheduled to finish by the end of November. Waterford, who sit seventh in the Premier Division with 43 points from 36 games, will be looking to continue their strong recent form of four wins and one loss in their last five matches when they visit on Sunday 8 November.
The work was approved earlier this year by the club and Strabane District Council, following an assessment that the existing seating had reached the end of its lifespan. It commenced immediately after Derry City played their final home game of the 2026 season against Dundalk on Friday 30 October. The club expressed its appreciation to the council for their support in initiating the upgrade. The project involves the complete removal and replacement of all seating in the stand, which is a key part of the stadium's infrastructure.
2027 season impact
The new seating will be installed and ready for supporters when the 2027 League of Ireland Premier Division season begins. Sales for the 2027 season tickets will open once the refurbishment is complete, ensuring fans have access to the upgraded facilities from the start of the new campaign. The club confirmed that the seating replacement is a standalone project focused on maintenance and fan comfort, and is not part of any larger stadium redevelopment plans at this time.
For Waterford, the immediate focus is the short trip to face Derry City on Sunday 8 November. Keith Long's side, currently seventh in the standings with 43 points, are in strong form with three consecutive wins. Their last outing was a 3-2 victory over Shelbourne, where goals from Evan McLaughlin, Padraig Amond and a late winner from Tom Lonergan secured the points. This result followed a 3-1 win over Drogheda United and a 3-2 victory against Galway United. The last meeting between these sides in September ended in a 2-2 draw.
Derry City sit two places above Waterford in fifth, setting up a tight contest. Waterford's top scorer this season is Tom Lonergan with nine goals, and his link-up play with provider Bernardo Piexoto Couto will be key. The team has scored 54 goals this season but conceded 61, leaving them with a negative goal difference. They trail league leaders Shamrock Rovers by 25 points. The stadium work in Derry will be finished well before Waterford's next potential visit in the 2027 season. Derry City manager Ruaidhri Higgins stated that the work will not disrupt the team's final home match preparations, with all focus on securing a positive result against Waterford to conclude their home schedule.
First reported at Derry City Football Club
