REVEALED: How are All-Ireland final tickets allocated as Cork and Clare fans scramble

The busiest annual two days of GAA are fast approaching - the All-Ireland hurling and football finals. 

Just over 164,000 spectators are expected to head to Croke Park over the next two weekends, as Clare are set to face off against Cork in the hurling this Sunday, while Armagh and Galway will clash for the Sam Maguire the following weekend.

Fans have said for years that both games have been getting harder to secure tickets for, especially with the cost of tickets raising to €100 for the stands, an increase of €10 on 2023 and €55 for Hill 16, an increase of €5.

Unlike previous games, tickets for the Croke Park final are not available for public sale through the usual outlets like Ticketmaster and local SuperValu shops.

READ NEXT - Under 15 hurling match in Waterford abandoned after alleged assault

Instead, each county board receives an allocation of tickets for the All-Ireland finals with the competing counties receiving the most significant allocations. These are then filtered down to their clubs and subsequently the club members.

People can also access tickets if they subscribed to Croke Park’s season ticket at the beginning of the year. All clubs reserve a certain number for officer boards, team mentors and members. Players – past and present – will also be offered tickets.

The breakdown of 82,006 All-Ireland Final ticket allocations are as follows:

- County allocations (58,110)
- Premium/Corporate (10,528)
- Season tickets (3,505)
- Term tickets (2,381)
- Schools (2,224)
- Sponsors (1,221)
- Former GAA Presidents (771)
- Staff & Sub committees (520)
- Overseas (480)
- Provinces (360)
- Press (254)
- Third-level (240)
- Rounders/Handball (212)
- Local residents (200)
- Mini-games (188)
- National Referee Panel (148)
- Matchday Teams (148)
- Jubilee teams (142)*
- Camogie (140)
- Ladies football (100)
- TV & Radio (74)
- Sport Ireland (60)

Those hoping to secure late tickets to the Hurling Final this Sunday will have to check with their local club, as the match is quickly selling out and a full house is expected in Croke Park.