The 2026 Gaelic football season is already delivering high-octane drama of GAA Games. The action kicked off with pre-season cups on January 2nd, followed by the Allianz Leagues on January 24th.
The spotlight is now on revolutionary new rule changes. A two-point scoring arc and 4v3 positional requirements are designed to speed up play. With the All-Ireland Senior Football Final on July 26, 2026, the season will reach its climax.
Whether following a “dark horse” or a traditional powerhouse, this year is unpredictable. The revamped GAA+ streaming service now brings 180+ live matches to the global diaspora.
Irish fans can watch Gaelic football from anywhere by turning to free platforms like BBC Sports, RTE, and TG4. Or you can stream Gaelic football matches with paid subscription to GAA+.
However, the free services are geo-restricted only to their respective licensed regions. To bypass these restrictions and access the games from any location, we recommend using a VPN.
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How to Watch Gaelic Football from Anywhere for Free
TG4 is the recommended Irish free-to-air channel to watch live and on-demand GAA content, including GAA games. With TG4, you can watch live GAA men’s and ladies’ football, on-demand highlights, and replays.
However, the service is only available in Ireland. But don’t worry. You can access TG4 from anywhere using a VPN, i.e., Surfshark.
Here’s how to watch Gaelic football from anywhere:
Step 1: Subscribe to a safe VPN service (Surfshark is our #1 choice)
Step 2: Download and install the Surfshark VPN App on your device
Step 3: Connect to the Irish server.
Step 4: Go to TG4 website and click on “profile icon”
Step 5: Sign in if you already have an account, or else click on Sign Up
Step 6: Enter your email and password
Step 7: Go to Schedule and select Sports Schedule
Step 8: Select the stream when it is live and enjoy streaming
How to Watch Gaelic Football from Anywhere on Mobile Phones
You can also watch Gaelic Football via RTE Player app or website, a free streaming service. Under the current broadcasting agreement (running through 2027), RTE broadcasts 31 live Championship GAA games.
However, due to geo-restrictions, its official mobile app is only on Ireland’s Google Play Store/App Store. Fans outside Ireland can access the platform by downloading its APK file from their phone browsers.
Here’s how you can watch Gaelic Football from anywhere on mobile phones:
Step 1: Install Surfshark VPN App and connect to the Irish Server.
Step 2: Download the RTE Player APK and install it on your phone
Step 3: Open the app and select Accept All Cookies
Step 4: Tap on the three horizontal lines available at the top left corner and select Sign In
Step 5: Enter your account details
Step 6: Tap on the live icon
Step 8: Select RTE 2 and enjoy streaming when the game is live
Other Ways to Watch Gaelic Football from Anywhere
Here are some other free and paid streaming services that officially broadcast Gaelic Football outside Ireland:
1. BBC iPlayer (Free)
You can also stream the Gaelic Football live events for free on BBC iPlayer, a free streaming service by BBC. The platform also broadcasts live coverage from BBC Sports, the official broadcaster of GAA Games in the UK,
Unfortunately, BBC Sport and iPlayer are geo-restricted in Ireland and only available in the UK. However, you can access the platform worldwide with the help of Surfshark.
Read More: Watch BBC iPlayer in Ireland
2. GAA+ (Paid)
GAA+ is the best way to watch Gaelic Football from anywhere. The platform offers all GAA games, including exclusive broadcasts from BBC, RTE and TG4 outside the UK and Ireland.
You can enjoy all Gaelic Football through GAA+ website or official app. In addition to its exclusive broadcasts, the service broadcasts all the games on BBC, RTE and TG4. Subscription to GAA+ for €135/yr or €13.99/mo.
Note: Prices and currencies vary depending on the location.
Gaelic Football 2026 Schedule
Here’s schedule for upcoming Gaelic Football matches in 2026.
| Date | Match | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 14 Feb | Kerry vs Galway | 17:00 |
| Sat 14 Feb | Dublin vs Monaghan | 19:00 |
| Sat 14 Feb | Meath vs Louth | 17:00 |
| Sat 14 Feb | Kildare vs Derry | 18:30 |
| Sat 14 Feb | Down vs Westmeath | 18:00 |
| Sat 14 Feb | Laois vs Sligo | 18:00 |
| Sat 14 Feb | Waterford vs Wicklow | 18:00 |
| Sun 15 Feb | Donegal vs Mayo | 13:45 |
| Sun 15 Feb | Roscommon vs Armagh | 14:00 |
| Sun 15 Feb | Offaly vs Cork | 14:00 |
| Sun 15 Feb | Tyrone vs Cavan | 15:45 |
| Sun 15 Feb | Fermanagh vs Clare | 13:00 |
| Sun 15 Feb | Limerick vs Wexford | 13:00 |
| Sun 15 Feb | London vs Leitrim | 13:00 |
| Sun 15 Feb | Antrim vs Longford | 14:00 |
| Sun 15 Feb | Tipperary vs Carlow | 14:00 |
| Sat 21 Feb | Dublin vs Kerry | 19:00 |
| Sat 21 Feb | Galway vs Roscommon | 19:00 |
| Sat 21 Feb | Derry vs Offaly | 18:00 |
| Sat 21 Feb | Carlow vs Waterford | 17:00 |
| Sun 22 Feb | Monaghan vs Mayo | 13:45 |
| Sun 22 Feb | Armagh vs Donegal | 15:45 |
| Sun 22 Feb | Cork vs Meath | 14:00 |
| Sun 22 Feb | Louth vs Tyrone | 14:00 |
| Sun 22 Feb | Cavan vs Kildare | 15:00 |
| Sun 22 Feb | Westmeath vs Fermanagh | 13:00 |
| Sun 22 Feb | Clare vs Laois | 14:00 |
| Sun 22 Feb | Sligo vs Limerick | 14:00 |
| Sun 22 Feb | Wexford vs Down | 14:00 |
| Sun 22 Feb | Wicklow vs London | 13:00 |
| Sun 22 Feb | Leitrim vs Antrim | 14:00 |
| Sun 22 Feb | Longford vs Tipperary | 14:00 |
| Sat 28 Feb | Cavan vs Louth | 17:15 |
| Sat 28 Feb | Tyrone vs Offaly | 18:00 |
| Sat 28 Feb | Kildare vs Meath | 19:00 |
| Sat 28 Feb | Down vs Fermanagh | 18:00 |
| Sat 28 Feb | Laois vs Westmeath | 18:00 |
| Sat 28 Feb | Limerick vs Clare | 18:00 |
| Sat 28 Feb | Antrim vs Wicklow | 17:00 |
| Sat 28 Feb | Carlow vs Clare | 18:00 |
| Sat 28 Feb | Derry vs London | 13:00 |
| Sat 28 Feb | Mayo vs Meath | 14:00 |
| Sat 28 Feb | Roscommon vs Tyrone | 14:30 |
| Sat 28 Feb | Lancashire vs Longford | 13:00 |
| Sat 28 Feb | Leitrim vs Cavan | 14:00 |
| Sun 01 Mar | Donegal vs Galway | 13:15 |
| Sun 01 Mar | Kerry vs Monaghan | 13:15 |
| Sun 01 Mar | Mayo vs Armagh | 13:15 |
| Sun 01 Mar | Roscommon vs Dublin | 14:00 |
| Sun 01 Mar | Derry vs Cork | 13:00 |
| Sun 01 Mar | Wexford vs Sligo | 14:00 |
| Sun 01 Mar | London vs Waterford | 13:00 |
| Sun 01 Mar | Longford vs Carlow | 14:00 |
| Sat 14 Mar | Kerry vs Mayo | 16:00 |
| Sat 14 Mar | Dublin vs Armagh | 19:00 |
| Sat 14 Mar | Cork vs Kildare | 17:00 |
| Sat 14 Mar | Meath vs Tyrone | 17:00 |
| Sat 14 Mar | Fermanagh vs Laois | 18:00 |
| Sat 14 Mar | Carlow vs London | 18:00 |
| Sun 15 Mar | Roscommon vs Donegal | 13:30 |
| Sun 15 Mar | Monaghan vs Galway | 15:45 |
| Sun 15 Mar | Louth vs Derry | 13:30 |
| Sun 15 Mar | Offaly vs Cavan | 14:00 |
| Sun 15 Mar | Meath vs Tyrone | 13:15 |
| Sun 15 Mar | Clare vs Wexford | 14:00 |
| Sun 15 Mar | Sligo vs Down | 14:00 |
| Sun 15 Mar | Limerick vs Westmeath | 14:00 |
| Sun 15 Mar | Waterford vs Antrim | 13:00 |
| Sun 15 Mar | Longford vs Wicklow | 14:00 |
| Sun 22 Mar | Armagh vs Galway | 15:30 |
| Sun 22 Mar | Dublin vs Mayo | 15:30 |
| Sun 22 Mar | Kerry vs Monaghan | 15:30 |
| Sun 22 Mar | Roscommon vs Donegal | 15:30 |
| Sun 22 Mar | Louth vs Offaly | 13:15 |
| Sun 22 Mar | Tyrone vs Cavan | 13:15 |
| Sun 22 Mar | Meath vs Kildare | 13:15 |
| Sun 22 Mar | Wexford vs Down | 14:00 |
| Sun 22 Mar | Clare vs Laois | 14:00 |
| Sun 22 Mar | Wicklow vs Longford | 14:00 |
Note: Click here to checkout all fixtures for this year.
Other Sports to Watch in Ireland
Here are some other most popular sports to watch in Ireland:
FAQs – Gaelic Football 2026
1. What major competitions are part of the 2026 Gaelic Football calendar?
The 2026 season includes the FBD League, National Football League, Provincial Championships, Tailteann Cup, and the All‑Ireland Senior Football Championship. The All‑Ireland final will take place on July 26, 2026.
2. Is there a new format for the All‑Ireland Senior Football Championship in 2026?
Yes, the 2026 championship will feature a revised structure with 16 teams, including provincial champions, runners‑up, and top National League teams.
3. Have the Gaelic Football rules changed for 2026?
Yes, changes have been made for 2026, including a two‑point scoring arc and revised kick‑out and positional rules to speed up the game.
4. What is the two‑point arc?
Points scored from outside the 40-meter arc will be worth 2 points, while points scored from inside the arc remain worth 1 point.
5. Where can I watch Gaelic Football live in 2026?
Major broadcasters include BBC and BBC iPlayer (UK), TG4 and RTÉ Player (Ireland), and GAA+ for global streaming.
Conclusion
Gaelic Athletic Association games are popular in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora worldwide. The games promote Irish culture and sports around the world.
You can watch Gaelic Football from anywhere on RTE Player, BBC iPlayer, and TG4 for free, and GAA+ with paid subscription.
However, you must use Surfshark to unblock the free services outside their licensed regions, i.e., UK and Ireland.
