Director-general Tom Ryan says the GAA is considering moving the All-Ireland hurling and football finals back to August from 2026.

While a return to their traditional September slots would appear to be off the table, Ryan believes there is room to push the showpiece games back a week or two. The All-Ireland finals have been played in late July for the past three years to allow for the split-season.

“There is a gathering mood to shuffle the finals back by a week or two, and that may well transpire in the future. Stretching the season out a little would be no bad thing – but I don’t foresee a return to September,” he wrote in his annual report.

“A further opportunity to stretch the season might well present itself at the other end of things, in January. Perhaps the suspension of the provincial pre-season competitions could point to starting the Allianz Leagues a little earlier in future?

“It’s probably too early to reach conclusions around this yet; 2025 is just a trial and the competitions are still on hold. But it merits debate.”

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