The Federation of Irish Sport is pleased to announce BusinessPlus.ie as the official sponsor of both the Best New Sports Business of the Year Award and the Best Existing Sports Business of the Year Award at the Irish Sport Industry Awards, taking place next week in Dublin. The Irish Sport Industry Awards 2026 is a national platform where sport, diplomacy, and business converge — showcasing how Ireland can turn global sporting connections into real economic growth. Special guest speakers on the night include Minister for Sport and Postal Policy, Minister Charlie McConalogue TD and Minister for International Development and Diaspora, Minister Neale Richmond TD.
Now in its ninth year, the Irish Sport Industry Awards celebrate the vital relationship between business and sport across Ireland. The partnership with BusinessPlus.ie reflects a shared commitment to recognising innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercial excellence within Ireland’s growing sports industry.
The Best New Sports Business of the Year Award recognises emerging businesses that have made a significant impact within the sports sector through innovation, growth, creativity, and market disruption. The category celebrates ambitious organisations that are delivering fresh ideas, services, or technologies that contribute to the continued evolution of Irish sport.
The Best Existing Sports Business of the Year Award honours established organisations that have demonstrated sustained excellence, strong commercial performance, industry leadership, and continued contribution to the development of sport and physical activity in Ireland.
Federation of Irish Sport Head of Commercial and Marketing Clare Louise O’Donoghue commented: “The Federation is very pleased to welcome BusinessPlus.ie on board as sponsor of both the Best New Sports Business of the Year Award and the Best Existing Sports Business of the Year Award. These categories recognise the innovation, ambition, and leadership driving Ireland’s sports industry forward, and BusinessPlus.ie is a natural partner given its strong focus on celebrating business success and entrepreneurship across Ireland and their existing collaboration as official media partner to the awards.”
Fintan Gavigan, Group Head of Marketing and Communications at dmg media Ireland, said:
“As Ireland’s leading business news platform, BusinessPlus.ie champions entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation, and business success stories across a range of sectors. Our partnership with the Irish Sport Industry Awards reflects the importance of recognising business excellence, entrepreneurship and innovation in driving the future growth of Irish sport.”
The 2026 Irish Sport Industry Awards will take place in Dublin on Tuesday, 19th May, and will be hosted by broadcaster and journalist Sean O’Rourke.
Ireland’s sports industry continues to play a significant role in the national economy, supporting approximately 64,000 jobs, generating €3.3 billion in household spending, and contributing €3.7 billion in gross value added (GVA).