Croke Park is the home ground for Gaelic games in Ireland. It is located in Dublin and has a capacity of over 82,000 people, making it one of the largest stadiums in Europe. Croke Park hosts the finals of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship and All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship each year, as well as many other Gaelic football and hurling matches. The demand for tickets, especially for the finals, is extremely high. Here is a guide on how to get premium level tickets for matches in Croke Park.
Types of Tickets
There are different categories of match tickets available for Croke Park:
- Terrace Tickets – These are general admission tickets that allow access to the terrace areas.
- Stand Tickets – Provide seating in the stands around the pitch. More comfortable than terrace areas.
- Premium Level Tickets – Offer the best views of the action from premium seating areas in the Upper Hogan, Cusack, Davin, and Nally stands. These tickets provide padded seating, access to exclusive bar and lounge facilities, wider legroom, and in-seat catering service.
Premium level tickets are the most sought after due to the luxurious amenities and the excellent viewing angles of the pitch they provide. But they are also the most expensive option.
Booking Premium Tickets
There are a few ways to get premium level tickets for matches in Croke Park:
GAA County Boards
Each county has a GAA county board that receives an allocation of tickets for matches in Croke Park. County boards make their allocations available to GAA clubs in the county. Contact your local GAA club to inquire about premium tickets available through the county board.
The allocation of tickets to each county board depends on factors like the number of season tickets held in the county and participation levels in Gaelic games. Counties competing in the finals receive a slightly higher allocation.
But the demand for premium tickets usually far exceeds supply. You may have to be a member of your GAA club for a few years before being offered premium tickets.
Croke Park Premium Tickets Lottery
A limited number of premium tickets are allocated to a Premium Tickets Lottery held before major matches at Croke Park. Anyone can register and enter the lottery on the Croke Park website.
Winners are randomly selected and offered the opportunity to purchase two premium tickets per entry. Lottery winners can purchase tickets for one match or enter future draws.
Due to huge demand, the odds of winning the lottery are quite low. But it still represents the easiest way for the general public to access premium tickets.
Hospitality Packages
Croke Park offers luxury match-day hospitality packages that include premium level tickets along with access to executive lounges and fine dining experiences. Packages are available for groups of various sizes.
Hospitality packages are very expensive, with prices starting from around €300 per person for All-Ireland finals. But they guarantee premium tickets and a first-class experience on match days.
Ticketmaster Resale
Limited premium tickets are sometimes resold through Ticketmaster Resale leading up to matches. These are tickets uploaded by people who can no longer attend the game.
The prices on Ticketmaster Resale are driven by demand and can be quite expensive. But it represents one of the only ways to secure premium tickets at short notice.
Corporate Sponsors & Partners
Companies that sponsor Croke Park or partner with the GAA sometimes receive allocations of premium tickets as part of their sponsorship agreements. Employees of these companies may be able to access premium tickets this way.
Purchase from Tout Websites
Some premium tickets make their way onto secondary ticket sites and online auction platforms. But prices are inflated and there are risks around fraud and tickets being invalid.
Buying from unauthorized ticket resellers is also illegal under the GAA’s ticketing terms and conditions.
Booking Process
The process for booking premium tickets will vary slightly depending on how you obtain them. Some general guidelines:
- Provide all information requested during the application/booking process accurately.
- Make payments before specified deadlines to secure tickets.
- Ensure the names on the tickets match the IDs that will be presented on match days.
- Print e-tickets or download them to a mobile device to be scanned at the stadium entrance.
- Read all the terms and conditions carefully before completing any ticket transactions.
Those lucky enough to obtain premium tickets should cherish the experience of watching matches from the exclusive vantage points these tickets offer.
Ticket Prices
Premium ticket prices vary depending on the match and demand. Some sample price ranges:
Match | Price per Ticket |
---|---|
All-Ireland Senior Football/Hurling Final | €300-€600 |
All-Ireland Football/Hurling Semi-Final | €180-€250 |
Provincial Senior Football/Hurling Final | €80-€150 |
Regular Season National League Match | €50-€80 |
Hospitality packages are more expensive again, with premium tickets bundled along with executive lounge access and dining experiences.
When to Get Tickets
Ideally, you should begin the process of booking premium tickets several months in advance of a match. Key timings:
- Register for Premium Ticket lotteries 4-6 months before matches.
- Inquire with your GAA club about county board allocations 3-4 months in advance.
- Look for hospitality packages and resale tickets 1-2 months beforehand.
- Check Ticketmaster Resale in the weeks leading up to the game.
The most exclusive premium ticket options like hospitality packages can sell out 6-12 months in advance of major games like finals.
For less in-demand games, you may be able to get premium tickets closer to match days. But overall, early booking gives you the best chance of securing premium seats.
Who Can Buy Premium Tickets
There are no specific restrictions on who can purchase premium tickets. However, some key points:
- Participating in county board draws and club allocations requires GAA membership.
- Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult when utilizing premium tickets.
- Photo ID and proof of age may be required when collecting tickets.
- Premium tickets are non-transferable and only valid for named ticket holders.
Premium hospitality packages have individual terms around minimum group sizes and booking requirements.
Why Buy Premium Tickets
Here are some of the key benefits of premium tickets for Croke Park games:
- The best views of the action from exclusive stands like the Upper Hogan.
- Access to premium bars and lounge facilities.
- Comfortable padded seating with extra legroom.
- In-seat food and beverage delivery service.
- Guaranteed under-cover seating for rainy days.
- Optional concierge and private lounge access through hospitality packages.
- Great corporate hospitality options for businesses and groups.
- A luxurious and exclusive matchday experience.
The premium ticket options make for a comfortable and stress-free way to enjoy the unmatched atmosphere of big match days in Croke Park.
Conclusion
Premium level tickets offer the ultimate way to experience a thrilling match day at Croke Park stadium. While not easy to obtain, some forward planning around county board allocations, the premium ticket lottery, hospitality packages and ticket resale sites can help secure these coveted tickets.
The premium ticket route comes at a significant cost. But for hardcore GAA fans who want to enjoy VIP treatment while watching the action from the best vantage points in the stadium, the expense is well worth it.