GAA fans in Northern Ireland have voiced their anger after a new streaming service appeared to charge them more than viewers in the Republic.
GAA+ was launched on Monday, replacing GAA GO which had streamed games in partnership with RTÉ.
A season pass for viewers in the Republic is charged at €79 (£65), with the “GB Pass” costing €90 (£75).
International viewers will be charged €120 (£100), although there is a 10% discount for GAA members.
Irish News columnist Brendan Mulgrew said he logged on to the GAA+ website in Belfast to be met with a €90 charge.
“It’s a price difference of €11, but I just think why on earth are GAA supporters who live in the six counties – the only option we have is to buy a GB pass?” he said.
“It’s not even a UK pass, even (the TUV leader) Jim Allister acknowledges that we’re not in Great Britain, we’re in the United Kingdom.”
Recalling that the previous GAA GO service had charged an all-island rate, he added: “The GAA President Jarlath Burns lives in Armagh, so if he wants to subscribe to GAA+ he’s a GB customer.
“Of all the organisations to be bringing a partionist approach, the GAA?”
Another GAA fan in Armagh objected to the GB Pass option.
“Please help, last time I checked Armagh (or any of the north) was not in GB. GB is the slightly bigger island to the east of Ireland,” they posted on the X platform.
Others spoke of resorting to the “dodgy box” option to watch the games illegally.
A GAA spokesperson told The Irish News said that all users on the island of Ireland would only be charged €79, blaming a technical issue on those seeing the €90 charge.
“Some users in the north of Ireland may see a different price of €90, which is the price paid by users in Britain as they can access additional games on the platform, because their internet service provider (ISP) is being recognised as located in Britain,” they said.
“This is something that GAA+ obviously cannot influence but are more than happy to rectify.”
Anyone on the island of Ireland encountering the €90 price point is asked to contact GAA+ customer care at help@gaaplus.ie for assistance.
With users asked to have patience during the busy launch period, the spokesperson added: “They will be contacted before the opening weekend of coverage this weekend to ensure they too are charged the €79 price point.”
Logging on to the GAA+ website from Belfast on Wednesday, The Irish News was also presented with the €90 charge.
No warning of the inaccurate price for Northern Ireland residents is made anywhere on the GAA+ website.
In a statement earlier this week, the GAA said the new service will air 40 live matches and there would be no reduction in the number of free to air TV games – including the All-Ireland finals which are broadcast on the BBC in Northern Ireland.
In line with GAA policy, 82% of profits from GAA+ will be reinvested into coaching and infrastructure projects.
GAA President Jarlath Burns called the new service “a landmark day,” with the strategic move guaranteeing exposure of games in the “small but intensely competitive Irish broadcast market.”
Noel Quinn, Head of GAA+, said the latest step was the result of a decade-long broadcast strategy – taking the GAA from being a media rights seller to moderator and live broadcaster.
“Taking ownership of our broadcast destiny not only follows best practice but ensures that our members’ growing live and on-demand content expectations will be met,” he said.
“We will invest in improving stream quality on web and app, accessibility features and a new studio in Croke Park – all of which is good news for viewers as we strive to deliver for them”.
Who’s ready for a GAA+ Summer? 😉#GAAPlus pic.twitter.com/NfHzIMYvcn
— GAA+ (@GAAPlusOfficial) April 1, 2025