Lidl and LGFA rally public support for women’s football league finals
Research by Lidl Ireland shows 59% of respondents prefer watching men's sports on TV over attending live women's sports events
Print8 April 2024
Lidl Ireland and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) are gearing up for an action-packed weekend of National Football League Finals across all four divisions, with Armagh, Kerry, Kildare and Tyrone all battling it out at Croke Park, while Carlow, Limerick, Clare and Roscommon will target silverware at Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park, Birr, Co. Offaly.
Ahead of this weekend’s live action, Lidl Ireland and LGFA are calling on the public to ‘Get Behind the Fight’ and fill every seat at every game following stark findings from national research unveiled by Lidl Ireland which found that 59% of Irish people have never attended a live women’s sporting event despite 42% of people stating an interest in attending a female sporting event and three quarters (74%) thinking it is a shame that more people don’t attend.
A staggering 59% of Irish people said they would prefer to watch men’s sport on TV than attend a live female sporting event despite research also showing that the public perceive women’s sport to be of high quality and exciting (53%) and skillful (66%).
When looking at barriers to attending women’s games, almost three quarters (74%) said reasonable ticket pricing was an important driver influencing attendance and over a third (34%) thinking that ticket prices are too high.
Lidl National Football League
With a single ticket for this weekend’s Lidl National Football League clashes giving access to two games at each venue, families can enjoy double the entertainment for less than half the price of a typical family day out to some of Dublin’s other iconic attractions.
For just €50, a family of four can enjoy a full afternoon at Croke Park taking in two exhilarating Ladies Football games, compared to a family day at Emerald Park which costs between €164-198 or a family show at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre which will set families back a steep €252.
Female events also represent greater value for money compared to male sport, with men’s Six Nations fixtures retailing at €109, and package tickets to the men’s soccer international friendlies costing up to €240*.
Fixtures
The Croke Park finals double-header on Sunday 7 April throws in at 2pm with Kildare and Tyrone facing off in the Division 2 decider while the Division 1 final between Armagh and Kerry gets underway at 4pm. The Divisions 3 and 4 finals double-header at Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park, Offaly sees Carlow and Limerick compete for the Division 4 title at 2pm, with Clare and Roscommon facing off for the Division 3 title from 4pm.
A family of four can attend the Lidl National Football League Division 1 and 2 finals double-header at Croke Park on Sunday 7 April for €50 (Adult tickets €20 each / Juvenile ticket €5 each). Student and OAP tickets are available for €10. The Division 3 and 4 finals double-header at St Brendan’s Park sees Adult tickets priced €15, Students/OAPs €5, U18s €2 and under 12s go free.
Lidl Ireland has committed more than €10 million to the development and promotion of Ladies Gaelic Football since 2016. In January, the retailer launched its call-to-action campaign ‘Get Behind the Fight’ to encourage greater attendance at female sports events.
Eimear O’Sullivan, Corporate Affairs director, Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, said: “There has definitely been positive growth across the leagues and we will continue to build on this momentum. Our research revealed that the perceived cost of attending women’s sporting events can be a barrier, but the LGFA continues to offer great value to spectators across the leagues and, with two action-packed clashes for the price of one this weekend, we’re encouraging families to come out and support our female players and enjoy a top family day out.”
Mícheál Naughton, LGFA president, said: “To launch the 2024 Lidl National Leagues, our competition sponsors and official retail partner urged fans of our sport to ‘Get Behind the Fight’ and boost attendances at our fixtures. I’m looking forward to seeing big crowds attending our Finals at the weekend, and I anticipate more and more people coming to watch our great games in the coming weeks and months.”
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