Announcing: Our partnership with GAA+

Picture this: It’s a packed Saturday evening in a bustling Irish pub. Pints of Guinness are flowing, laughter fills the air, and on the big screen, a Gaelic football match is in full swing. This is the kind of energy we are aiming to bring to pubs across the UK with our latest partnership.

We are so excited to have joined forces with GAA+, the official streaming service of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), recently rebranded from GAAGO. This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for our branded TV offering, one where Gaelic football and hurling can now be broadcast in pubs that would otherwise miss out on these exhilarating games that are not otherwise available on terrestrial TV.

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More than just a game.

GAA sports are a deep-rooted part of Irish culture. Over the years, their popularity has stretched beyond the shores of Ireland, capturing the hearts of sports fans across the globe. The All-Ireland Championships, for instance, attract record-breaking audiences, proving that Gaelic sports are not a niche interest, but a worldwide phenomenon. Over the last 10 years, there has been an almost 100% rise in the number of GAA clubs operating outside of Ireland, with more than 500 now in existence across the international units.

Sports like football and rugby have long been drawing customers to pubs, and now, UK pubs will have the opportunity to immerse their customers in the energy of Gaelic games too. And it’s not just Irish pubs that will benefit - any venue that thrives on the excitement of competitive sport and works with Startle can now offer something fresh and dynamic to their patrons.

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A seamless experience for pubs and fans.

Startle’s innovative branded TV service is built to make life easier for pub managers while maximising the entertainment experience for customers. Their platform allows pubs to build fully customised TV channels, integrating news, weather, entertainment, and, sports. The GAA+ games will seamlessly transition alongside other digital signage and background music services, ensuring a cohesive and engaging atmosphere at all times.

With the ability to schedule upcoming games in advance, pub managers can remove the stress of switching to the right channel at the right time. Whether it’s live matches, on-demand content, or a choice between game commentary and background music, the experience is entirely in the hands of the venue.

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A partnership built on passion.

Adam Castleton, our CEO, says:

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with GAA+ to bring Gaelic games to pubs across the UK. We’ve worked hard helping pubs with the complex task of managing their promotional sports content for years, so we’re excited to now also support live broadcasting. Irish sport is growing in popularity, so it’s a great time to make GAA+ available to the thousands of pubs we work with.”

Echoing this enthusiasm, Gavin Doyle, Sales and Marketing Manager at GAA+, highlights the broader impact:

“To partner with Startle in the UK is exciting for us in two ways. It brings a lot more eyeballs to the games of Gaelic football and hurling, helping build on the existing international growth of the sports, but it also ensures that the presentation and delivery of these games is executed professionally and with ease for all parties involved thanks to Startle's product and people.”

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Elevating the pub experience.

With sports being a core part of the pub culture, the ability to offer something unique can set a venue apart. Whether it’s an Irish expat looking for a taste of home, a curious sports fan eager to discover something new, or a group of friends simply enjoying an exciting match, this partnership ensures that pubs can deliver unforgettable moments.