National Forum

Allianz National Leagues 2026

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Hard to believe the Allianz National Leagues kicks off next weekend. Has there been any announcement of games being shown on RTE/TG4 over the coming weeks? Will try to get to as many Wexford games in both codes aswell!

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 824 - 14/01/2026 09:49:06    2650996

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Yes the NFL has quickly came around, from PR nothing yet from GAA, guessing waiting until after Sundays club finals.


TG4 Details


https://www.tg4.ie/en/information/press/press-releases/2025-2/tg4-unveils-extensive-allianz-leagues-coverage/

macca999 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1192 - 14/01/2026 12:40:45    2651028

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Replying To Afinestick96:  "Hard to believe the Allianz National Leagues kicks off next weekend. Has there been any announcement of games being shown on RTE/TG4 over the coming weeks? Will try to get to as many Wexford games in both codes aswell!"
I'd imagine a lot of people will just be referring to it as the National Leagues.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1410 - 14/01/2026 12:47:04    2651030

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Replying To Afinestick96:  "Hard to believe the Allianz National Leagues kicks off next weekend. Has there been any announcement of games being shown on RTE/TG4 over the coming weeks? Will try to get to as many Wexford games in both codes aswell!"
Rugby get big crowds to meaningless games. Through good marketing and often using our facilities.

GAA meanwhile couldn't be bothered. There's lots of games would get big crowds if properly pitched.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3903 - 14/01/2026 16:53:05    2651072

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "Rugby get big crowds to meaningless games. Through good marketing and often using our facilities.

GAA meanwhile couldn't be bothered. There's lots of games would get big crowds if properly pitched."
Sadky the GAA simply don't do marketing or promotion.
You'd think they'd get their big business sponsors to lend them a bit of help and know how in that Department.

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 307 - 14/01/2026 17:22:42    2651075

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "Rugby get big crowds to meaningless games. Through good marketing and often using our facilities.

GAA meanwhile couldn't be bothered. There's lots of games would get big crowds if properly pitched."
And those games obviously not being meaningless to the people going to them perhaps Barney?
Problem we have is there are no other international teams to compete with at hurling or football.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17986 - 14/01/2026 19:10:59    2651083

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "Rugby get big crowds to meaningless games. Through good marketing and often using our facilities.

GAA meanwhile couldn't be bothered. There's lots of games would get big crowds if properly pitched."
Another problem we have is that there are so many intercounty games these days they are just not special any more. Alot of them are pretty meaningless. And alot of counties arent competitive at the very top level, including my own currently.
The Irish rugby team only play in Ireland around 6 times a year. And are generally competitive against any opponent the last good few years now.
There's a few differences for you. Marketing isnt the answer to everything, and the GAA in my experience are actually pretty good at it tbh.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17986 - 14/01/2026 19:14:08    2651084

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Replying To macca999:  "Yes the NFL has quickly came around, from PR nothing yet from GAA, guessing waiting until after Sundays club finals.


TG4 Details


https://www.tg4.ie/en/information/press/press-releases/2025-2/tg4-unveils-extensive-allianz-leagues-coverage/"
You're behind the times in Fermanagh.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3630 - 14/01/2026 20:34:32    2651087

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I reckon Galway to win the league . Mayo to survive ..

But then Mayo to kick back in championship ..
Think Rossies will drop back down to division 2 .
Reckon the Dubs might struggle .
Donegal & kerry will do well.

S1234 (Mayo) - Posts: 651 - 14/01/2026 21:06:15    2651092

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While football is brilliant the Munster hurling championship is the gold standard. 5 teams going at it hammer and tongs. Hard to big up the "National Football League" when the likes of Donegal and Galway are falling over each other to avoid the final. There's a week off now this year after the league finals. If there's anymore pulling up the handbrake - the finals will be nearly have to be scrapped altogether.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9347 - 14/01/2026 21:12:27    2651093

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Replying To Afinestick96:  "Hard to believe the Allianz National Leagues kicks off next weekend. Has there been any announcement of games being shown on RTE/TG4 over the coming weeks? Will try to get to as many Wexford games in both codes aswell!"
It really has come around quickly. As of now, there doesn't seem to be a full broadcast schedule confirmed yet for RTÉ or TG4, which is fairly typical this far out. Usually RTÉ will pick up a handful of Division 1 games, especially the bigger weekend fixtures, while TG4 tend to focus more on the Allianz Hurling League and some football matches in the lower divisions. Announcements normally drip out week by week rather than all at once. Fair play on getting to the Wexford games though, nothing beats being there in person, especially early league when there's a bit of optimism about.

markermurt (USA) - Posts: 1 - 15/01/2026 01:50:43    2651111

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Replying To legendzxix:  "While football is brilliant the Munster hurling championship is the gold standard. 5 teams going at it hammer and tongs. Hard to big up the "National Football League" when the likes of Donegal and Galway are falling over each other to avoid the final. There's a week off now this year after the league finals. If there's anymore pulling up the handbrake - the finals will be nearly have to be scrapped altogether."
Hammer and tongs Waterford never made top 3 in 5 team comp

jm25 (Galway) - Posts: 1875 - 15/01/2026 08:25:09    2651113

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Replying To legendzxix:  "While football is brilliant the Munster hurling championship is the gold standard. 5 teams going at it hammer and tongs. Hard to big up the "National Football League" when the likes of Donegal and Galway are falling over each other to avoid the final. There's a week off now this year after the league finals. If there's anymore pulling up the handbrake - the finals will be nearly have to be scrapped altogether."
Think the finals should be scrapped anyway. A League should be a League, whoever finishes top of the table should win that Division. There are too many games.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17986 - 15/01/2026 09:53:52    2651123

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Replying To legendzxix:  "While football is brilliant the Munster hurling championship is the gold standard. 5 teams going at it hammer and tongs. Hard to big up the "National Football League" when the likes of Donegal and Galway are falling over each other to avoid the final. There's a week off now this year after the league finals. If there's anymore pulling up the handbrake - the finals will be nearly have to be scrapped altogether."
With the increase in Championship fixtures, I think the League finals needs to be scrapped, top of the table wins it. I can understand the lower divisions maybe wanting a run out in Croke Park, but a solution might be for all teams to get a league game in Croke. So 3 home, 3 away matches and 1 in Croker.

I don't think any top side would turn their nose up at a chance of winning a league title, but ultimately teams are judged on their Championship runs, and holding league finals 6 days before the opening knock-out Championship match isn't encouraging.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1556 - 15/01/2026 11:12:48    2651128

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Replying To Commodore:  "With the increase in Championship fixtures, I think the League finals needs to be scrapped, top of the table wins it. I can understand the lower divisions maybe wanting a run out in Croke Park, but a solution might be for all teams to get a league game in Croke. So 3 home, 3 away matches and 1 in Croker.

I don't think any top side would turn their nose up at a chance of winning a league title, but ultimately teams are judged on their Championship runs, and holding league finals 6 days before the opening knock-out Championship match isn't encouraging."
Apart from Dublin, who have the advantage as always of 3 or 4 home league games in Croke Park in preparation for the business end of the championship, can other Division 1 counties be turning their noses up at a run out in Croke Park?

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9347 - 15/01/2026 11:55:33    2651136

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Apart from Dublin, who have the advantage as always of 3 or 4 home league games in Croke Park in preparation for the business end of the championship, can other Division 1 counties be turning their noses up at a run out in Croke Park?"
A run out in Croke Park a week before championship wouldn't be ideal for anyone

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17986 - 15/01/2026 12:46:38    2651147

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Apart from Dublin, who have the advantage as always of 3 or 4 home league games in Croke Park in preparation for the business end of the championship, can other Division 1 counties be turning their noses up at a run out in Croke Park?"
You don't need a league final to get run out in Croke Park before the business end of the season, as I said in my previous message, a solution might be for all teams to get a league game in Croke. So 3 home, 3 away matches and 1 neutral game in Croker. That would give more teams a game in Croker, not just the league finalists.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1556 - 15/01/2026 12:50:26    2651148

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Replying To Viking66:  "A run out in Croke Park a week before championship wouldn't be ideal for anyone"
I see there is a 2 week gap between football and hurling league finals and first round of championships this year

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 824 - 15/01/2026 13:13:54    2651156

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Replying To Commodore:  "You don't need a league final to get run out in Croke Park before the business end of the season, as I said in my previous message, a solution might be for all teams to get a league game in Croke. So 3 home, 3 away matches and 1 neutral game in Croker. That would give more teams a game in Croker, not just the league finalists."
If county boards would vote for it. I don't think they will. With the weekend off after the league finals - all losing quarter finalists should be targeting a league final. Namely Galway and Armagh.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9347 - 15/01/2026 13:50:45    2651163

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Replying To Afinestick96:  "I see there is a 2 week gap between football and hurling league finals and first round of championships this year"
Football and hurling?

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17986 - 15/01/2026 13:51:55    2651165

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