New sponsored championship football and sliotar set to be ready for 2027

The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) and GAA are expected to have the new sponsored championship football and sliotar ready in time for the 2027 competitions. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady.

The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) and GAA are expected to have the new sponsored championship football and sliotar ready in time for the 2027 competitions.

Last November, Central Council signed off on a new commercial proposal by the GPA to develop match balls in the respective men’s and women’s championships that would carry the logo of a commercial backer.

Although the process is being overseen by the parties’ “Le Chéile” partnership, all proceeds from the venture will go to the GPA as part of the new official recognition protocol, which was agreed at the time.

It had been hoped the balls would be launched in time for this year’s championship but the timeframe was considered too short and the initiative has been parked for a year.

The GAA and GPA want to ensure only those balls with the sponsor’s brand are used in the games. It is believed the official inter-county players body could reap an annual six-figure sum from the agreement.

A number of companies are understood to be interested in the new tie-up. Furniture and home technology retailer Harvey Norman are already involved with the GAA and The Camogie Association as sponsors of HawkEye and the GAA statistics hub, which provides match data on TV and in Croke Park. Their current three-year agreement concludes this year.

The GPA currently counts Harvey Norman as one of its 13 commercial partners along with PWC, Avonmore, Insomnia Coffee, Batchelors, Solgar, Comfort Keepers, Clean Cut Meals, Cróga, Opro, BPerfect Cosmetics, McKeever and Toyota.

There is already a sponsored ball in place with the logo of Allianz, sponsors of the National Leagues, carried on the balls during the secondary competition.

The GAA’s own logo has featured on football and sliotars since the early 2010s after a rebranding in 2008. For All-Ireland finals, the names of the participating counties and date are carried on the leather.

The GPA’s concept is believed to be inspired by the AFL, which has long had sponsors on its Sherrin-made ball during the Premiership.

The likes of finals series backers Toyota, who are the official car partner of the GAA, the Camogie Association and GPA, and McDonald’s are AFL ball sponsors. Press conferences with players and coaches often feature the matchday ball.

O’Neills have long manufactured the official football of choice in the championship, while they are among five companies who are licensed to provide the smart sliotars used in the senior, U20 and minor inter-county hurling competitions.