GAA ends U16 free tickets for higher division football and hurling league games
Apart from juvenile tickets now cost €5 for the top two divisions in football and hurling, the GAA has retained its league ticket pricing structure. Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE
The GAA has ended its practice of making higher division Allianz League tickets free to children under the age of 16.
In a statement released on Monday, Croke Park confirmed that entry for a juvenile will now cost €5 to Division 1 and 2 football and Division 1A and 1B hurling fixtures. Admission must also be purchased along with an adult ticket.
Previously, U16s were permitted to attend games free of charge except for reserved seating fixtures and selected fixtures where capacity was an issue.
However, in a departure the GAA confirmed that they have introduced the measure “after consultation with our counties and to assist with event control and health and safety protocols for fixtures that attract bigger attendances. It will not apply for Divisions 3 and 4 in football or Divisions 2 and 3 in hurling. A juvenile charge may also apply to other fixtures if required due to capacity.”
In September, Wexford GAA insisted unaccompanied juveniles could no longer be admitted free to Chadwicks Wexford Park following an incident at a preliminary senior hurling quarter-final when a young girl was attacked by a group at the venue.
“Unfortunately, we had a small number of serious incidents among teenage children at last weekend’s games,” Wexford’s executive wrote to their clubs.
“There has been a growing trend of teenagers attending games in groups without adult supervision (especially games under floodlights).
“As you are aware, there is free entry to our championship games for under 16s when accompanied by an adult. We would like to see as many children as possible attend to watch our games, but we cannot tolerate a continuation of the anti-social behaviour we experienced last weekend.”
Otherwise, the GAA has retained its adult ticket pricing structure from last year having increased from 2023 this past season. Prices remain unchanged at €20 for adults and €15 for senior citizens and students for Division 1 and 2 football and Division 1A and 1B hurling fixtures.
Tickets for lower league matches in football are €12 (€10 for OAPs/students) and in hurling’s new Division 2, 3 and 4 €10 (€8 for OAPS/students).
For this month only, supporters can avail of an early bird offer of a €5 discount on adult tickets for the opening round of the leagues at the end of January.
League bundles are also available. Seven Allianz Football League matches are priced at €100 and €65 for four. A seven-match package for Division 3 and 4 football costs €70 and €40 for four games. In hurling’s Division 1A and 1B, the six round ticket is €90 and €50 for three fixtures.
