The Irish sporting community will gather tonight for the 2026 Federation of Irish Sport Industry Awards, celebrating the organisations, campaigns, partnerships and individuals driving innovation, inclusion and commercial success across Irish sport.

The annual awards have become one of the most important showcases for the sport in Ireland, recognising excellence across sponsorship, participation, sustainability, inclusion, media and fan engagement.

This year’s shortlists once again reflect the breadth and ambition of projects being delivered across the sporting landscape, from grassroots participation initiatives and high-performance programmes to commercial partnerships and creative campaigns that are helping sport reach new audiences.

Among the most closely watched categories on the night will be the awards recognising initiatives promoting sustainability, inclusion and women in sport.

Sustainability at the Forefront

The shortlist for Best Initiative to Promote Sustainability in Sport, sponsored by MyWaste.ie, highlights how environmental awareness is becoming increasingly central to the operation and future planning of sporting bodies and organisations.

Golf Ireland’s Drive The Green initiative has focused on encouraging more sustainable practices across golf clubs nationwide, while the GAA Green Club Programme continues to expand its impact through community-led environmental action.

Munster Rugby’s A Different Approach to Impact initiative has explored new ways of embedding sustainability and social responsibility into the organisation’s wider activities, while Clare Local Development Company’s LEADER, SICAP and Rural Recreation programme has demonstrated the growing connection between outdoor activity, community engagement and environmental stewardship.

Inclusion and Accessibility Through Sport

The Best Initiative to Promote Disability in Sport & Physical Activity category again underlines the transformative power of sport.

Special Olympics Ireland has been recognised for its Transforming Lives Through Sport programme, while Kildare Local Sports Partnership earned a nomination for The Kildare Inclusivity Festival.

Swim Ireland’s Swim Access Project and Golf Ireland’s Golf4All programme have also been shortlisted, alongside Liquid Therapy’s Making Waves Project, all highlighting the growing focus on making sport more accessible and inclusive for participants of all abilities.

Diversity and Community Impact

The shortlist for Best Initiative to Promote Diversity, Equality & Inclusion in Sport & Physical Activity reflects the increasingly important role that sport plays in building stronger, more inclusive communities.

Laois Sports Partnership’s Outdoor Survivalist Camps, Irish Sailing’s Watersports Inclusion Games, and Wicklow Sports & Recreation Partnership and Trail Criú’s Building Inclusive Communities Through Trail Running initiative all demonstrate how participation programmes are helping broaden access to sport.

Virgin Media, PHD and Diageo Ireland have also been recognised for their work on audio description, Irish Sign Language and inclusive production, helping to improve accessibility and representation in sports broadcasting.

Strong Momentum Behind Women in Sport

Women in Sport remains one of the most significant growth areas across Irish sport, and tonight’s awards will recognise programmes that increase participation, visibility and opportunity.

Boxing Ireland’s LEAP Programme, Canoeing Ireland’s Bridging the Gap initiative, Athletics Ireland’s Girls Squad Programme and Tennis Ireland’s Women in Tennis programme are all in contention in the Best Initiative to Promote Women in Sport & Physical Activity category.

The range of shortlisted projects illustrates the depth of work now being undertaken to create clearer pathways and stronger long-term opportunities for women and girls across Irish sport.

Major Awards in Focus

Among the headline honours to be presented tonight will be the National Governing Body of the Year and Local Sports Partnership of the Year awards, recognising excellence in leadership, participation growth, governance and community impact across Irish sport.

The awards have traditionally highlighted organisations that have demonstrated strategic vision, innovation and sustained delivery both on and off the field, and they remain among the most prestigious accolades presented on the night.

Commercial Partnership of the Year will also attract significant attention, reflecting the increasing sophistication and value of collaborations between brands and sports organisations.

The category celebrates partnerships that have gone beyond traditional sponsorship visibility to create meaningful engagement, measurable impact and long-term value for both sport and commercial partners. In an increasingly competitive sponsorship environment, the shortlisted campaigns demonstrate how Irish sport continues to provide powerful platforms for storytelling, community engagement and audience connection.

A Reflection of the Strength of Irish Sport

Beyond the individual categories, tonight’s awards will provide a broader reflection of the continued strength and evolution of the Irish sports industry.

Commercial partnerships continue to deepen, participation initiatives are reaching more communities, and sports organisations are increasingly embracing their wider social and environmental responsibilities.

The awards also arrive at a time when Irish sport is enjoying growing international visibility through major events, expanding broadcast reach and continued investment in facilities, participation and high performance.

For many organisations attending tonight, simply reaching the shortlist is recognition of the scale and quality of the work they undertake throughout the year.

The winners will be announced tonight in front of representatives from governing bodies, sponsors, agencies, clubs, athletes and industry leaders from across the Irish sporting landscape.

We will have a report on the evening and all the winners in tomorrow’s Sport for Business.

 

 

Almost all of the organisations whose content we have featured here are full members of Sport for Business.

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