The 2025 Irish Sport Industry Awards are open for business, with the Federation of Irish Sport launching them in the company of the Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, and the Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue TD.
The Federation of Irish Sport will host the Awards in Dublin on 20th May. The nomination process for each category will be open until Wednesday, April 16th.
This will be the eighth staging of the awards, which recognise Ireland’s invaluable relationship between business and sport and the immense work of bringing sport to life across national governing bodies and local sports partnerships.
The Sport industry in Ireland supports 64,000 jobs, stimulates €3.3 billion in household spending, and generates €3.7 billion (GVA) gross value added to the Irish economy.
Economic Driver
This year’s event will also serve to heighten the awareness of the value of sport as an economic driver when showcasing our sporting passion as a nation in hosting major international sports events that deliver significant economic contributions, such as the Open Championship in Portrush this July, the Aer Lingus College Football Classic this August and the 2025 NFL Dublin Game this autumn, the Ryder Cup in 2027, the UEFA Euro 2028 and the Cricket World Cup in 2030.
“The Irish Sport Industry Awards are a unique celebration of Sport,” said Minister O’Donovan.
“They offer an opportunity to acknowledge new enterprises and innovation in sport, and also to recognise and commend the National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships for their drive and commitment in promoting participation for all in sport.”
“I would like to congratulate the Federation of Irish Sport for organising the awards and extend my congratulations to all those being celebrated.”
“With record levels of investment in sport, the Government is committed to working with all stakeholders and partners to ensure we continue to recognise and support all participants suitably and sustainably,” added Minister of State McConalogue.
“With that in mind, it is my pleasure to applaud all of the event organisers from the Federation of Irish Sport, and to wish all the award nominees the very best of luck.”
“We are delighted to have the support of both Ministers O’Donovan and McConalogue for the launch of the Irish Sport Industry Awards, our annual celebration of the economic role sport plays to the Irish economy,” said Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport.
“The awards recognise excellence across various aspects of sport, including entrepreneurship, media coverage, good governance, inclusivity, sponsorship, and leadership.”
“This year we will be highlighting the massive financial contribution that hosting major international sports events has to the Irish economy and their global audience reach.”
How to Enter
Nine categories are open to nomination from across sport, business and the public.
1. Best Commercial Partnership in Sport
2. Best Use of Communication Platforms in Sport
3. Best Initiative to Promote Women in Sport & Physical Activity
4. Best Initiative to Promote Diversity & Inclusivity in Sport & Physical Activity
5. Local Sports Partnership of the Year
6. Governing Body of the Year
7. Best New Sports Business of the Year
8. Best Sports Business of the Year
9. KPMG Women in Sport
Entries are now open for submission at https://irishsportindustryawards.ie/.
The Closing date for entries is Wednesday 16th April 2025.
Further Reading for Sport for Business members: All the Winners from the Irish Sport Industry Awards 2024
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
These are great awards recognising the breadth of engagement that goes into the delivery of great sport, for the many and the few. The Awards for Women in Sport, Diversity and Inclusivity are always an especially inspiring collection of projects brought into the spotlight.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
The closing date for nominations is Wednesday, April 16th. We will be featuring spotlights on a number of the categories over the coming weeks.
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MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS
The Federation of Irish Sport, The Department of Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, and Sport Ireland, as well as The Olympic Federation of Ireland, Sports Direct, Canoeing Ireland, Sarah Keane and others from last year’s winners are among the 300+ members of the Sport for Business Community, which brings together leaders in sport and business and shines a light on their work.
The Sport for Business Membership comprises over 300 organisations, including all the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies.
