Ireland Unveils Ambitious International Sports Diplomacy Strategy with 68 Commitments

Ireland Launches Comprehensive Sports Diplomacy Strategy

Ireland has officially launched its new International Sports Diplomacy Strategy, an ambitious initiative comprising 68 specific commitments designed to harness the power of sport for national benefit on the global stage. The strategy, unveiled on February 24, 2026, at Aviva Stadium, aims to strengthen diplomatic relations, deepen connections with the Irish diaspora, and drive economic growth.

The launch event saw the participation of key government officials, including Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O'Donovan, and Minister of State with special responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue. They were joined by renowned Irish professional golfer Pádraig Harrington, underscoring the strategy's broad appeal and potential impact.

Four Pillars of Engagement

The strategy is built upon four overarching goals, reflecting a comprehensive approach to sports diplomacy:

• Promoting Ireland as a sporting nation: Elevating Ireland's international reputation through its sporting achievements and infrastructure.
• Using sport, including Gaelic Games, to deepen diaspora connections: Fostering stronger ties with Irish communities worldwide through shared sporting heritage.
• Supporting international sporting partnerships and cooperation: Aligning with Ireland's values and interests to build global alliances.
• Maximising the economic value of international sports diplomacy: Leveraging major sporting events and the sports sector for trade, tourism, and investment.

This initiative builds upon the International Sports Diplomacy Framework published in May 2025, signifying a structured and coordinated evolution of Ireland's engagement with sport as a diplomatic tool.

Key Initiatives and Economic Impact

A central element of the strategy is the commitment to a 'Team Ireland' approach, ensuring coordinated efforts across government departments, state agencies, and sporting bodies. To support its implementation, a new International Sports Diplomacy Fund will allocate at least €1 million over five years.

Flagship initiatives include the creation of a Global Ireland Sports Leaders program, which will appoint up to six current or former sportspeople as ambassadors to promote Ireland internationally. Ireland also plans to host a major international sports diplomacy conference and develop an International Irish Sports Administrators Network. Furthermore, the strategy aims to secure international cultural recognition for Gaelic Football, akin to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status granted to hurling in 2018.

The economic dimension is significant, with plans to leverage major events such as the Ryder Cup in Limerick in 2027, the co-hosting of UEFA EURO 2028, and the T20 Cricket World Cup 2030. These events are viewed as platforms to build trade relationships, showcase Irish enterprise, and boost tourism. This strategy follows a period of substantial government investment in sport, with over €1 billion invested since the National Sports Policy in 2018, and funding rising to over €300 million in 2026.

A Collaborative Vision

The development of the strategy involved extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including government departments, state agencies, sporting bodies, athletes, diaspora representatives, researchers, universities, and sports technology businesses. This collaborative effort underscores the government's vision to position sport not merely as a source of national pride, but as a strategic diplomatic, economic, and cultural asset for Ireland on the global stage.