Sport Ireland Announces Record 33 Million Euro Funding for Irish Sports Bodies in 2026
Sport Ireland has announced a record 33.36 million euros in core funding for 2026, representing an 87.4% increase since the National Sports Policy was introduced in 2018 -- with a new multi-year funding model designed to give sports organisations greater stability and long-term planning capacity.
The investment will be distributed among 57 National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and 29 Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs), with 19.5 million euros allocated to NGBs and 12.66 million euros to LSPs. A new three-year multiannual funding model is being introduced to replace the previous year-by-year approach, providing greater certainty for sports organisations as they plan coaching programmes, facilities, and competitions.
Targeted Investment in High-Growth Sports
A pilot initiative will see 390,000 euros in targeted strategic investment allocated to NGBs with high growth potential, including those for boxing, rowing, and basketball. This reflects Sport Ireland's ambition to develop a broader range of competitive sports in Ireland, moving beyond the traditional dominance of Gaelic games, football, and rugby.
The funding announcement comes alongside a planning application for a national cricket centre at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown, which is projected to generate a 93 million euro tourism dividend for Ireland between 2026 and 2030. The centre will play a key role in the 2030 men's T20 Cricket World Cup, which Ireland will co-host, with the tournament expected to contribute nearly 40 million euros to the Irish economy. The proposed stadium will have a permanent capacity of 4,240, expandable to 20,000 for the World Cup.
Participation and Inclusion
The 2024 Irish Sports Monitor report found that 49% of adults now participate in sport at least once a week -- a 2% increase from the previous year. However, the report also raised a significant concern: the widening gap in sports participation between individuals with and without disabilities. This disparity grew to 22 percentage points in 2024, up from 17 points in 2017, prompting calls for targeted action.
A separate report on gender balance in Irish sports media found that women's sport received 18% of overall media coverage in 2025 -- a year-on-year increase, but still far short of parity. Print media provided the highest representation at 21.4%, while online platforms offered the lowest at just under 16%.
What's Next
Sport Ireland has indicated that the new multiannual funding model will be reviewed after the initial three-year period, with a view to extending it further if it proves effective. The organisation has also signalled its intention to address the disability participation gap through targeted programmes in the coming years.
Read the full announcement at The Irish Times.
