Mayo GAA Club Football Championship

The Mayo Senior Club Football Championship is one of the oldest and most fiercely contested county championships in Ireland, running continuously since 1888. Come late July, club rivalries that simmer all year finally boil over on pitches across Mayo - group-stage football that is every bit as intense as county-level fare, played in front of supporters who have been watching these players since they were underage. If you want Gaelic football stripped of the corporate gloss and played with real local passion, this is where to look.

What to expect

The championship runs a group-stage format - 16 senior clubs split into four groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to quarter-finals, and then semi-finals and a county final typically held at MacHale Park in Castlebar. The Paddy Moclair Cup is the prize the clubs are chasing. July fixtures are group-stage matches hosted at individual club grounds throughout the county: tight, atmospheric venues where the terrace is three deep and you can hear every call from the sideline. Ballina Stephenites, the most decorated club in the championship’s history with 39 titles, and Castlebar Mitchels (31 titles) are the sides that perennially define the business end of the draw - though Knockmore, Westport and others push hard every year. Expect fast, physical football in front of vocal home crowds.

Getting there

The championship spans county grounds, so the specific venue for any given fixture matters. For matches in or near Castlebar, the town is straightforward to reach: it sits on the N5 from Dublin (around 2 hours 40 minutes) and on the N60 from Galway and Tuam. Bus Eireann runs regular services to Castlebar from Dublin, Galway, and Westport. For rural club grounds around the county, a car is the practical option - most club venues have on-site or roadside parking. Check the specific fixture venue on the Mayo GAA website before travelling, as grounds vary considerably in location.

While you’re in Castlebar

Castlebar is Mayo’s county town and a solid base for exploring the west. The Mall and the surrounding streets have cafes and pubs that will be lively after a match day. There is more to see in Castlebar and across Co. Mayo.

Good to know

• Date: Sunday 26 July 2026, 3:00pm (group-stage round; check the specific fixture on the day)
• Price: From EUR 5 at the gate; prices vary by club venue
• Fixtures and venues: Check mayogaa.ie for up-to-date fixture lists and ground locations
• Organiser: Mayo GAA
• The championship continues through August, so if you miss this round there are further fixtures to catch