← All events
gaa · Saturday 1 August 2026 · Various 
Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship 2026 - Group Stage
At Various venues, Co. Antrim · Co. Antrim
At Various venues, Co. Antrim · Co. Antrim
Club championship football in Antrim carries a different charge to county games. These are neighbours playing neighbours, parishes that have been rivals for generations, and the Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship group stage - running across August 2026 - is where that rivalry begins in earnest. Sixteen clubs split into four groups of four, each chasing a place in the knockout rounds. If you enjoy GAA football and want to watch competitive, committed club action, this is a good place to be.
Four groups of four clubs play out across August, with the top two from each group advancing to the quarter-finals. Every club plays three group games, mixing home, away, and neutral venues.
The 2026 draw threw up some compelling match-ups. Group 1 contains Cargin (Erin’s Own) and Dunloy, two clubs that have met in finals in recent years - Dunloy beat Cargin in the 2025 decider to claim the Padraig McNamee Cup. Group 3 pits Lamh Dhearg and St Gall’s against each other, with both clubs carrying serious pedigrees in the county. Group 4 includes St Brigid’s and St Paul’s alongside Aghagallon and Ahoghill.
Kickoff times vary by fixture but games typically run from early afternoon into the evening. The atmosphere at club grounds in Antrim tends to be close and unfiltered - small stands, tight sidelines, and supporters who know the players personally. Bring a waterproof.
Matches are streamed live on the GAA+ subscription platform. A season pass costs €95 (or individual games at €15 each), which covers club championship action across the country.
Fixtures take place at club grounds across Co. Antrim rather than a single central venue. Check the specific fixture details at antrim.gaa.ie before travelling - venues shift round by round. Antrim town itself sits just off the M2 motorway, roughly 20 minutes north of Belfast by car or bus. For grounds further west or north in the county, a car is by far the most practical option. Parking at club grounds is usually free and informal.
Translink operates bus and rail services into Antrim town and to many larger towns in the county. The Antrim-Belfast Enterprise rail link is fast and reliable if you are coming from the south.
Match day at a club ground takes a few hours at most, which leaves plenty of time to take in the area. The town of Antrim sits on the north-eastern shore of Lough Neagh - Europe’s largest freshwater lake - and the lough shore park makes for a good walk before or after a game. There is more to see in Antrim and across Co. Antrim.
Heading to Various venues, Co. Antrim in Antrim? Antrim has plenty more to see. Read the Antrim area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.