The Federation of Irish Sport has confirmed the first members of the judging panel for the 2026 Irish Sport Industry Awards, as momentum continues to build ahead of this year’s ceremony.
Returning to the panel is Gearóidin McTavish, Disability in Sport Lead at Sport Ireland. McTavish brings extensive experience in advancing inclusion and accessibility across Irish sport, with a strong focus on participation, representation and opportunity for all.
Also confirmed to return is Rob Hartnett, CEO and Founder of Sport for Business. His expertise across sponsorship, governance and the wider commercial landscape of sport will once again contribute to a robust and informed judging process.
The Judging Panel will be chaired by Jill Downey of Core Sponsorship, bringing real experience and leadership to the process
The Federation has also announced an extension to the entry deadline, with submissions now open until Wednesday, April 8th.
This year’s Awards will take place in Dublin on Tuesday, May 19th and will again be hosted by broadcaster and journalist Seán O’Rourke.
Now in its ninth year, the Awards celebrate the relationship between business and sport in Ireland, recognising a sector that supports 64,000 jobs, stimulates €3.3 billion in household spending and contributes €3.7 billion in gross value added to the economy.
Two new categories have been introduced for 2026, reflecting areas of growing importance within the sector. The Best Initiative to Promote Disability in Sport and Physical Activity will recognise organisations driving inclusion and participation for people with disabilities, while the Best Initiative to Promote Sustainability in Sport and Physical Activity will honour those demonstrating leadership in environmental responsibility.
These additions join nine established categories, including Best Commercial Partnership in Sport, Best Use of Communications Platforms in Sport, Best Initiative to Promote Women in Sport and Physical Activity, Best Initiative to Promote Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity in Sport and Physical Activity, Governing Body of the Year, Local Sports Partnership of the Year, Best New Sports Business of the Year, Best Sports Business of the Year and the KPMG Women in Sport Award.
The Awards continue to reflect the breadth of excellence across Irish sport. In 2025, partnerships such as Athletics Ireland and 123.ie were recognised for their impact, while the Irish Rugby Football Union’s Irish Rugby+ platform demonstrated innovation in fan engagement. Basketball Ireland’s SOCIA-Ball initiative highlighted the ongoing drive to increase female participation.
Across community sport, organisations including Donegal Sports Partnership and Mayo Sports Partnership were recognised for their work in accessibility and local engagement, while Badminton Ireland was honoured for governance and growth.
In the business categories, companies such as ClubSpot and Hexis showcased the strength of Ireland’s sports technology and services sector, underlining the continued evolution of the sports business ecosystem.
Further details on categories and submissions are available via the Awards website, with additional coverage and interviews with previous winners to follow in the lead-up to this year’s event.
Image Credit: Federation of Irish Sport
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