GAAGO revenue rose to €5.7m in final year before GAA buyout

The GAA bought RTÉ out of their 50% share of GAAGO earlier this year, rebranding it as GAA+.

GAAGO revenue in 2024 increased more than €500,000 compared to 2023. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Total revenue in the GAAGO’s last year of operation in 2024 increased to €5.745 million – a jump of over €500,000 on the previous financial year.

Before the GAA bought out RTÉ’s 50% of the streaming platform earlier this year, subscriptions came to €5.312m compared to €4.966m in 2023. Sponsorship income was slightly up from €273,437 to €285,417, while other income in the year ending December 31 2024 came to €148,312.

Operational costs were higher in 2024 – €4.077m from €3.813m in 2023 – but personnel costs were almost identical at the €550,000 mark. The average number of employees in GAAGO in 2024 was six.

Profits for the operational year rose from €874,047 to €978,986. Pre-tax profits increased from €874,047 to €1.117m. A €1m dividend was provided to the GAA and RTÉ, slightly less than the €1.2m given in 2023.

Because of the sale, those figures are unlikely to be repeated by the new GAA+ initiative, which was revealed in February last year, when accounts for this financial year are released in 2026. The process of the GAA’s purchase of RTÉ’s share also meant they were unable to sell season tickets for the Christmas market as had been achieved previously.

The only note in the accounts pertaining to the would-be sale of GAAGO to the GAA read: “The shareholders have agreed terms whereby the GAA will purchase the RTÉ Commercial Enterprises Designated Activity Company shareholding. It is expected that the purchase agreement will be concluded in 2025.” 

Last December, the Irish Examiner revealed the GAA had approached RTÉ about buying out the national broadcaster from their joint venture.

In a change from previous years when they were carried on RTÉ Radio, the provincial football championship draws will be broadcast on GAA+ as well as other GAA platforms on November 27 ahead of the GAA launching the 2026 season ticket before Christmas.