GATE RECEIPTS IN the GAA dropped by 9% in 2015, a fall that was largely attributable to the lack of an All-Ireland hurling final replay for the first time since 2011.
The GAA took in €26.7m in gate receipts in 2015 a drop from the €29.4m they raked in twelve months previously.
Hurling attendances were noticeably hit last year in contrast to the 2014 season which had featured a final replay between Kilkenny and Tipperary.
The 2014 campaign also included a Clare-Wexford qualifier replay and an All-Ireland semi-final between Cork and Tipperary that drew an attendance of over 68,000 fans.
In contrast football attendances grew in 2015 with a sellout All-Ireland semi-final replay in Croke Park between Dublin and Mayo a major contributory factor.
Championship Attendances
All-Ireland senior hurling
- 2015 – 272,996 (-32%)
- 2014 – 403,434
All-Ireland senior football
- 2015 – 553,076 (+19%)
- 2014 – 463,403
Gate Receipts
Football championship
- 2015 – €12.8m
- 2014 – €11.4m
Hurling championship
- 2015 – €8.1m
- 2014 – €11.4m
The figures were released this morning at the publication of the GAA’s annual finance report.
GAA Director of Finance Tom Ryan described 2015 as ‘a stable year with very encouraging outcomes’.
Other points to note from today’s report:
- Commercial revenues increased by €2m
- Average attendance per championship game increased to 19,000
- €12.5m was distributed to the countries, up from €12.4m the previous year
- The total investment in games increased to €10.3m
- Total development expenditure was €14.7m