The opening weekend of the 2026 GAA Allianz Football League is here – and six heavyweight matches will be shown live and free by BBC Sport NI and streamed for free on BBC iPlayer. The action starts at 6pm on 24 January 2026 with a Division 2 clash.
Meanwhile, Antrim are back in action on Sunday February 22 against Carlow in Division 1B before Tyrone visit Offaly on Saturday February 28 in football.
How to watch Gaelic football on BBC iPlayer anywhere with a VPN – and for free.
- Division 2 Football, Tyrone v Kildare, Saturday 24th January, throw-in at
- Division 1 Football, Monaghan v Armagh, Sunday 25th January, throw-in at 2 p.m
- Division 2 Football, Derry v Tyrone, Saturday 31st January, throw-in at
- Division 1B Hurling, Antrim v Clare, Sunday 1st February, throw-in at 13.00
- Division 1B Hurling, Antrim v Carlow, Sunday 22nd February, throw-in at 13.00
- Division 2 Football, Tyrone v Offaly, Saturday 28th February, throw-in at
How to watch Gaelic football on BBC iPlayer anywhere
BBC iPlayer will stream many Gaelic football games for free to UK viewers when the GAA 2026 season starts.
If you’re traveling or living abroad, use a VPN to securely change your location and access your usual UK apps, including BBC iPlayer.
There are plenty of VPNs, but NordVPN is the one you can trust to unblock BBC iPlayer and watch GAA Irish football from anywhere in the world.
Using a VPN to watch is very easy Gaelic football on BBC iPlayer.
1. Install VPN of your choice. As we have said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Select 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, select ‘UK’.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Go to BBC iPlayerlog in and watch Gaelic football for free.
5 key storylines to watch for in the GAA 2026 season
Can Kerry continue their dominance?
Kerry begin the season as reigning Allianz League and All-Ireland champions and everyone will be watching to see if they can defend their titles or if the challengers close the gap early.
The Ulster rivalry was rekindled
Matches as Monaghan vs Armagh and Donegal vs Dublin spotlight old feuds and new managerial eras as Counties look to establish Division 1 supremacy from the first round.
Division 2 promotion matches
Tyrone and Derry are aiming for a return to the top flight, while Meath and Cork are trying to end their time in Division Two – making every point crucial in a notoriously tight division.
New leadership and fresh faces
Moves like Galway’s new captain John Maher and Dublin’s lineup overhaul signals the evolution of the squad, adding intrigue to who will step up on big league days.
Stories of rebuilding and survival
Teams in lower divisions – from Clare and Westmeath to Antrim and Wicklow – face big early tests as they eye promotion or seek to avoid the drop-outs, adding unpredictable drama across levels.
What devices is BBC iPlayer available on?
You can use BBC iPlayer on all the following devices and platforms:
Amazon Fire (Tablets, Cube, Stick, TVs)
Android TV (please note: some models are not supported)
Android (Mobile and tablet) – Android 7.0 and higher
Apple TV (tvOS 14 or later)
Google TV
Free
Freesat (please note: some models are not supported)
Freeview games (TVs and set-top boxes)
iOS (iPhone and iPad) – iOS 14 and later
LG Smart TV (2016-2024)
NOW Smart Sticks and Boxes (minimum firmware v11.5.0)
PlayStation (PS4 and PS5)
Roku (Stick & Roku-OS powered TVs, minimum firmware v11.5.0)
Samsung Smart TV (2017 and up – 2016 models only offer On Demand TV)
Sky Q, Sky Glass and Sky Stream
Virgin Media (360, Stream, TiVo)
YouView (BT, Humax, Sony, TalkTalk)
Xbox (One, Series X, Series S)
You may also enjoy watching:
We test and review VPN services for legitimate recreational use. For example: 1. Accessing a Service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that Service). 2. Protecting your online security and enhancing your online privacy when you are abroad. We do not support or condone illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consumption of paid-for pirated content is neither endorsed nor endorsed by Future Publishing.
