Allianz has today announced the launch of the 2026 Allianz Football and Hurling Leagues, marking the start of a new inter-county season and its 34th consecutive year as title sponsor of the competition in partnership with the Gaelic Athletic Association.
Alongside the fixture launch, Allianz unveiled the next phase of its participation-focused platform, evolving its ‘Stop the Drop’ initiative into a new campaign titled #KeepPlaying. The programme builds on research that shows one in five children in Ireland drop out of sport between primary and secondary school, shifting the focus from initial retention to long-term engagement, resilience and lifelong connection to games and community.
Originally launched in 2024, ‘Stop the Drop’ targeted early disengagement from sport. #KeepPlaying expands that ambition, championing the idea that participation can take many forms across different stages of life – as a player, mentor, volunteer or supporter.
Speaking at the launch, Geoff Sparling, Chief Customer Officer at Allianz, said the campaign reflects the insurer’s long-term commitment to inclusion and participation in Irish sport.
“Allianz will be marking the start of the 2026 Allianz Leagues season through our #KeepPlaying campaign, which builds on the legacy of Stop the Drop and reflects our long-term commitment to supporting participation and inclusion in Irish sport,” he said. “It gives everyone involved connection and community over a lifetime.”
To bring the campaign to life, Allianz has partnered with former inter-county stars Graham Geraghty and Paudie Maher, both of whom experienced the full arc of senior county careers, adapting to change and sustaining long-term involvement in the game.
Also addressing the launch, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Jarlath Burns highlighted the enduring significance of the Allianz Leagues within the GAA calendar.
“The Allianz Leagues have long been a proving ground for players and a cornerstone of the GAA calendar,” he said. “Allianz’s continued support demonstrates a deep understanding of the role Gaelic Games play in people’s lives, not just during their playing days, but long after.”
The 2026 Allianz Leagues will once again deliver weeks of high-quality football and hurling across the country, offering teams an early-season benchmark and supporters a return to competitive action in local grounds nationwide.
Read More: The Moral Complexity of Sponsorship
Image Credit: GAA, Sportsfile.com
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