The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final is the pinnacle of Gaelic football and one of the most anticipated sporting events in Ireland each year. With over 80,000 fans packing into Croke Park stadium in Dublin, tickets are always in extremely high demand. Planning ahead and understanding the various options for getting tickets is key to securing a coveted seat at the final.
When and where is the All-Ireland football final held?
The All-Ireland football final is traditionally held on the third or fourth Sunday in September each year. The 2023 final will take place on Sunday, September 17th at Croke Park stadium in Dublin.
Croke Park can hold over 82,000 spectators, making it one of the largest stadiums in Europe. It has been the site of the All-Ireland football final since 1913 (with exceptions during redevelopment in the 1990s).
Who are the teams playing in the 2023 All-Ireland football final?
The teams competing in the 2023 football final will be determined by the knockout championship that takes place throughout the summer months. The provincial championships narrow the field down to 8 top teams.
These teams then enter the All-Ireland series where the semi-finals determine who will play in the September final at Croke Park. Until the championship progresses, the 2023 finalists are unknown.
When Do Tickets Go On Sale?
All-Ireland football final tickets are made available in phases leading up to the match:
Season tickets
A portion of the tickets are allocated to GAA season ticket holders. These loyal fans commit to buying a season pass at the start of the year which guarantees them a ticket to the All-Ireland final.
Club allocation
Tickets are distributed through GAA clubs first, usually 6-8 weeks prior to the final. Members who are active with their local club signup for ticket access. Club officers then allocate tickets to members based on factors like attendance and volunteering.
Public sale
The remaining tickets are sold to the general public around 4 weeks before the final through Ticketmaster. This is when the majority of fans try to purchase online. Demand hugely outweighs supply so there is a lottery element.
Replay tickets
If the match ends in a draw, a replay final is held 2-3 weeks later. A new batch of tickets is released for the replay match.
How Can I Get Tickets?
Here are the main options for securing All-Ireland football final tickets:
Join a club
Becoming an active member of your local GAA club is the best way to access tickets. Sign up early in the year and regularly attend training, matches, and volunteer at the club. Then request club officers to put your name forward when final tickets are allocated to the club.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Good chance of securing ticket if active in club | Must commit to club activities for the full year |
Avoid competition of public ticket sale | Not guaranteed a ticket, at discretion of club |
Purchase a county season ticket
Buying an annual season ticket with your county board guarantees you first access to All-Ireland final tickets. Season tickets go on sale in November for the following year.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Guaranteed ticket to final if purchased early | Expensive upfront cost for full year |
Perks like discounts & invites to other events | Must collect from county office in person |
Enter public ticket lottery
When general tickets go on public sale through Ticketmaster, you enter an online lottery to be randomly selected. Set up an account in advance and logon as soon as sales open.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Chance to get tickets even if not a GAA member | Pure luck if selected in the ticket lottery draw |
Purchase conveniently online | Extremely high demand, low odds |
Buy tickets resold by 3rd parties
Websites like DoneDeal, forums, and social media are active with resellers offering final tickets at inflated prices. This is very risky as there is no guarantee of authenticity.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Buy late after other options sold out | Illegal ticket scalping often with fake tickets |
Pay premium rates to secure tickets | Unethical to encourage scalping |
Tips for Buying Tickets
Use these tips to boost your chances getting your hands on the golden tickets to the All-Ireland football final:
- Become a club member by March at the latest and attend events regularly
- Purchase county season tickets when they go on sale in November
- Set up a Ticketmaster account now so you’re ready when public tickets open
- Team up with friends/family to coordinate trying for tickets
- Never buy from unofficial ticket resellers or touts
Enjoying Matchday at Croke Park
On the magical day itself, here are some tips for making the most of your All-Ireland final experience at Croke Park:
Get there early
Arrive at least 2-3 hours before throw-in to soak up the atmosphere, watch the pre-match build up and grab some food. The area outside Croke Park becomes a sea of team colors.
Allow enough time to get through security too where bags and jackets will be searched.
Bring cash
Croke Park is a cashless stadium so bring enough cash for food, drinks, programs, and merchandise. There are ATMs onsite but expect long queues.
Dress for the weather
The All-Ireland final is played rain, hail or shine! With the unpredictable Irish weather, bring a rain jacket or layers you can peel on or off. Don’t forget sunscreen either if it’s a hot day.
Pace yourself
The electric atmosphere and nerves can get adrenaline pumping but it’s a long day. Pace yourself on spending and any celebrating. You don’t want to peak too early!
Soak up the atmosphere
This is a once in a lifetime experience for many fans so soak up every moment from the pre-match parade to the final whistle. Take photos, share the excitement with those around you and sing your heart out!
Conclusion
With tickets like gold dust, planning ahead is key to securing a coveted spot at the All-Ireland senior football final. Getting active with your local club or buying a county season ticket early are the best ways to access tickets. Once you have that golden ticket, make a day of it and enjoy the unique thrill of finals day at Croke Park!
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