the arena was the principal venue for the 50th international catholic eucharistic congress held 10–17 june 2012. eucharistic congresses are held generally every four years in various places around the world to promote an awareness of the central place of the eucharist in the life and mission of the catholic church, to help improve the understanding and celebration of the liturgy and to draw attention to the social dimension of the eucharist. expected attendance was 10,000-20,000 persons each day, with up to 80,000 at the closing mass in croke park on 17 june. a congress was last held in ireland in 1932.