Westlife will provide the soundtrack to Katie Taylor’s long goodbye, after being confirmed as the headline performers for her farewell fight at Croke Park this Saturday.
The Irish supergroup will take centre stage as part of the pre-fight entertainment on a night already loaded with emotion, culminating in what is expected to be a poignant final ring walk for the Bray icon.
Inside a packed Croke Park, with more than 80,000 fans expected, Taylor will face undefeated French fighter Flora Pili as she chases the perfect ending: bowing out as a three-time undisputed world champion.
Westlife, speaking about Taylor’s invitation, said they were “so honoured” to be asked to share the occasion with her. “She has inspired the whole country and we couldn’t be prouder to perform for her at Croke Park, a stadium that also means so much to us,” the band said.
The setting could hardly be more familiar. Westlife have already made Croke Park their own over the years, playing six sold-out shows at the Dublin venue and turning it into a second home of sorts. Their return this weekend adds another layer of Irish nostalgia to an already historic night.
The numbers behind the group underline their status. More than 55 million records sold worldwide. Sixteen Irish No.1 singles. Fourteen UK chart-toppers. A back catalogue stacked with anthems such as Flying Without Wings, Queen of My Heart and You Raise Me Up – songs built for big stages and bigger moments.
Saturday’s appearance also acts as a prelude to another landmark in their own story. Just days after the Taylor fight, Westlife will begin a record-breaking 13-night residency at Dublin’s 3Arena from 10 September, part of their 25th anniversary celebrations.
More acts are expected to be added to the Croke Park bill, with further entertainment announcements due later this week as organisers lean fully into the sense of occasion.
For those not in the stadium, Katie Taylor v Flora Pili will be shown live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, with live radio commentary on RTÉ 2FM. The event will also go out worldwide on DAZN.
An Irish boxing legend chasing the perfect finale, an Irish pop institution back on the biggest stage in the country – Croke Park is set for a farewell that feels more like a national event than just a fight.
