All-Ireland finals won't move to August in 2026

BBC News

30-04-2025

GAA president Jarlath Burns has said the All-Ireland Football and Hurling finals will not move to August in 2026. Burns previously suggested the finals could move back to their traditional September slot, but has now said a decision on shifting the dates for the 2027 season will be made by his successor. Since 2022, the All-Ireland finals have been played in July. This year's hurling final will be played on 20 July with the football decider on 27 July. "This year it's out," Burns, whose presidency ends in 2027, told GAA+."Next year it's out as well. But it's going to be the next president who'll make that decision, whether or not we go into August. It's probably not going to be my decision."But I would be open to it, notwithstanding the health warning that comes with the whole area of starting the club championships."We were showing so little respect to the club player that there was literally a group set up called the Club Players Association and they had one word – fixtures."We solved that for them."Burns added that the staging of concerts in Croke Park must be taken into consideration. This year, Oasis will perform at the GAA's headquarters on 16 and 17 August."And I'm going to say the next thing without any apology – we also have concerts in this," said Burns. "Croke Park is now the major funding organ of the GAA – let's not forget that."This stadium is keeping our organisation financially viable."