GAA+ to go from strength to strength in 2026
Mark Brennan, CMO Allianz Ireland, left, Aisling O'Reilly and Paddy Andrews, Presenters, and Noel Quinn, Head of GAA+ and GAA Marketing, right, at the GAA+ launch of The VIEW brought to you by Allianz at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile.
By John Harrington
GAA Director General, Tom Ryan, has hailed the positive performance of the GAA’s streaming platform, GAA+, in his Annual Report which was published today and which can be downloaded and read in full at the bottom of this article.
Previously known as GAAGO, the GAA is now the sole owner of the rebranded GAA+ entity which gives the Association the independence to broadcast its matches on its own terms.
“Our intention to operate the platform independently was announced at Congress in February of last year and the subsequent rebrand and migration of both staff and equipment to Croke Park has gone very well,” writes Ryan in his Annual Report.
“Viewer choice, additionality of games and affordable pricing remained the priorities, and I am very proud of the progress we have made in such a short period of time. Indeed, the live streaming of the 2026 Provincial Championship draws on our own channels at the end of last year was another nod to the capabilities and expertise now housed in Croke Park.
“In 2025 over 200 (RTÉ, TG4, BBC and GAA+) matches were streamed to the growing GAA diaspora overseas, 42 of which were produced exclusively by an in-house team over 13 consecutive Championship weekends from 26 venues nationwide. The total GAA+ match stream audience has grown 25% year on year, with a further positive gain in the number of people watching directly on the app.
“This extensive schedule totalled over 500 hours of coverage viewed in more than 150 countries, as well as 34 midweek analysis shows that were made available for free on GAA+ social channels.
“When provided in tandem with the 300+ free to air TV matches now shown every year, it is clear that there has never been as much choice offered to our supporters.
“Post-Championship survey results with over 5,000 of our subscribers consistently complimented analysis and presentation values but perhaps even more pleasing than that is the increased scoring regarding ease of setup, streaming quality and perceived value for money.
“We want to continue to make streaming as accessible as possible and is why our commitment to provide free access to over 30,000 HIQA-registered nursing home residents and all HSE care-giving locations will be a mainstay in our model."
Ard Stiúrthóir of the GAA Tom Ryan in attendance for the GAA Annual Report launch at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.
GAA+ will go from strength to strength in 2026 thanks to the streaming of more than 200 live matches and the opening of a new HD studio and production hub in Croke Park.
A new bi-weekly live studio series, The VIEW, was recently launched with 56 shows airing across 28 consecutive weeks throughout the Allianz Leagues and Championships.
“The production hub will allow match day feeds to be monitored around the country from a central location on the many different platforms that GAA+ can now be accessed by end users,” writes Ryan.
“This will enhance the real-time customer service provided to viewers and improve their overall experience. The HD-quality studio space is the springboard to creating more Monday-Friday GAA content to meet the content demand outside of weekend coverage and again see the GAA align to global best practice, all the while building its own ability ahead of the next media rights cycle.”
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You can view a flipbook version of the Annual Report of GAA Director General, Tom Ryan, here - https://online.fliphtml5.com/fhqhq/GAA-A_Rept-TYRAN-26/Y
You can view and download a pdf version of the Annual report below: