2025 participation figures show Gaelic games are thriving
Gaelic games participation numbers for 2025.
The GAA’s Strategic Plan for 2022-2026, ‘Aontas 2026 - Towards One GAA for All’, set out a clear and ambitious vision: a sustainable, community-based, volunteer-led Association where as many people as possible participate in Gaelic games and culture, for as long as possible.
It placed maximum participation among players, coaches, referees, and officers at the very top of its priority list — and the 2025 figures demonstrate that this ambition is being translated into reality.
These numbers do not exist in isolation. They are the living proof of the GAA's 2026 strategic plan —Aontas — in action.
"The 2025 participation figures reveal that the Gaelic Games are actively thriving, and reaching deeper into schools, clubs, and communities than ever before," says Séamus Kenny, GAA National Participation and Programmes Manager
"With over 375,000 young people engaged through primary schools coaching, more than 134,000 children attending Cúl Camps, and over 53,000 children enrolled in the Nursery Programme, the GAA's grassroots programmes make the GAA unique among sporting organisations anywhere in the world"
Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps ambassadors, Tipperary Hurler Mikey Breen, Armagh Footballer Aimee Mackin and pupils from school Holy Trinity Senior National School in Donaghmede, pictured at the launch of the 2026 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps. This year marks 15 years of Kellogg’s sponsorship, celebrated with the launch of the 'Cúl-est P.E. Class' competition. This nationwide initiative offers 4th and 5th class students from 15 schools the chance to win a dynamic Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps session at their school. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile.
CÚL CAMPS: THE HEARTBEAT OF IRELAND'S SUMMER
Every summer, the Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camps become a defining feature of childhood in Ireland. In 2025, they drew 134,029 attendees from clubs across the country — meaning that one in every five children aged 6 to 13 in Ireland attended a Cúl Camp.
The reach of this programme is staggering: 1,135 clubs — representing 70% of all GAA clubs — opened their gates as Cúl Camp venues. This is not simply a GAA participation programme. The camps are community events, creating friendships, building confidence, and introducing thousands of children to the values of teamwork and fair play in a safe, supervised, and fun environment.
Players shake hands after the match between The Harold School, Glasthule, Dublin, and St. Brigid's GNS, Palmerstown, Dublin, on day two of the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Finals at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile.
GO GAMES: WHERE EVERY CHILD PLAYS
The Go Games programme — delivered in partnership with the LGFA and Camogie Association — recorded participation figures that underline just how embedded Gaelic games have become at club level.
The Go Games philosophy — that every child who turns up should get meaningful game time, regardless of ability — is a direct embodiment of the Games, Club and Community and Inclusion pillars within Aontas. The Go Games model prioritises participation over performance, ensuring that no child is left on the sideline.
With 1,230 football clubs and 757 hurling clubs actively running Go Games fixtures, this programme touches almost every county, parish, and townland.
"The strength of the programme is reflected in the fact that 1 in 3 children, of the age, are participating in this child-centred games programme," said Kenny.
NURSERY PROGRAMME: GAELIC GAMES FROM THE VERY BEGINNING
Perhaps the most striking signal of future intent in the 2025 data is the Nursery Programme. An extraordinary 76% of clubs — 1,082 in total — are now engaged with the Nursery Programme, introducing the very youngest children to the culture, skills, and spirit of Gaelic games.
The combined enrolment of over 53,000 children — 32,000 boys and 21,400 girls — represents the pipeline of future GAA members.
Action during the match between Grace Park Educate Together National School, Dublin, and Scoil Ghrainne Community National School, Dublin, on day one of the 2024 Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Finals at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS: REACHING EVERY CLASSROOM
The GAA's Primary Schools coaching programme delivered one of the most impressive statistics in the 2025 data: coaching was delivered to 2,752 schools, with 375,493 (204,156 males and 171,337) participating.
"The scale of this programme means that GAA coaching is present in schools the length and breadth of Ireland," said Kenny.
"It reinforces the school-club link that Aontas identifies as a critical pathway to sustained participation, ensuring that children who experience Gaelic games in the classroom have a natural next step into their local club."