The opening weekend of the 2026 Allianz GAA Football League is here, and BBC Sport NI will broadcast six heavyweight games live for free and stream them for free on BBC iPlayer. The action begins at 6pm on January 24, 2026 with a Division 2 clash.
Meanwhile, Antrim will return to action on Sunday 22 February against Carlow in Division 1B before Tyrone host Offaly on Saturday 28 February in football.
Here’s how to watch Gaelic football on BBC iPlayer from anywhere with a VPN and for free.
- Division 2 Football, Tyrone v Kildare, Saturday 24 January, Throw-in 6pm
- Division 1 Football, Monaghan v Armagh, Sunday 25 January, Throw-in 2pm
- Division 2 Football, Derry v Tyrone, Saturday 31 January, Throw-in 6pm
- Division 1B Hurling, Antrim v Clare, Sunday 1 February, Throw-in 1pm
- Division 1B Hurling, Antrim v Carlow, Sunday 22 February, Throw-in 1pm
- Division 2 Football, Tyrone v Offaly, Saturday 28 February, Throw-in 6pm
How to watch Gaelic football on BBC iPlayer from anywhere
BBC iPlayer Stream many Gaelic football games for free for UK viewers as the 2026 GAA season begins.
If you’re traveling or living abroad, you’ll need a VPN to securely change your location and access your regular UK apps, including BBC iPlayer.
There are many VPNs, but NordVPN is the one you can trust to unblock BBC iPlayer and watch Irish GAA football from anywhere in the world.
It’s very easy to use a VPN to watch Gaelic football on BBC iPlayer.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we have said, NordVPN It’s our favorite.
2. Choose the location you want to connect to in the VPN app. For example, if you’re visiting the US and want to watch your free BBC iPlayer stream, you’ll need to select “United Kingdom.”
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Go to BBC iPlayerLog in and watch Gaelic football for free.
5 key stories to watch in the 2026 GAA season
Can Kerry continue his dominance?
Kerry begin the season as reigning Allianz League and All-Ireland champions, and all will be watching to see if they can defend their titles or if the rivals close the gap early.
Ulster rivalries reignited
Parties like Monaghan v Armagh and Donegal vs Dublin highlight old feuds and new managerial eras as counties look to establish Division 1 supremacy from the first round.
Division 2 Promotion Battles
Tyrone and Derry are aiming to return to the top flight, while Meath and Cork are looking to end their time in Division 2, making every point crucial in a notoriously tight division.
New leadership and new faces
It moves like New Galway captain John Maher and Dublin’s lineup overhaul point to the team’s evolution, adding intrigue as to who will step up in the big league days.
Stories of reconstruction and survival.
Teams in lower divisions, from Clare and Westmeath to Antrim and Wicklow, face big early tests as they seek promotion or look to avoid relegations, adding unpredictable drama at all levels.
What devices is BBC iPlayer available on?
You can use BBC iPlayer on all of the following devices and platforms:
amazon fire (Tablets, Cube, Stick, Televisions)
android tv (please note: some models are not supported)
Android (Mobile and tablet) – Android 7.0 and higher
AppleTV (tvOS 14 or later)
Google TV
Freely
free satellite (please note: some models are not supported)
DTT playback (TV and decoders)
iOS (iPhone and iPad) – iOS 14 and above
LG Smart TVs (2016-2024)
NOW smart sticks and boxes (minimum firmware v11.5.0)
Playstation (PS4 and PS5)
roku (TVs with Stick and Roku OS, minimum firmware v11.5.0)
Samsung smart TVs (2017 and later: 2016 models only offer TV on demand)
Sky Q, Sky Glass and Sky Stream
Virgin media (360, stream, TiVo)
TuSee (BT, Humax, Sony, TalkTalk)
xbox (One, X Series, S Series)
You can also enjoy watching:
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