Rule 42

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Rule 42 was a Gaelic Athletic Association rule that stopped GAA grounds from being used for non-Gaelic games. It’s often misunderstood as banning all foreign sports, but non-Gaelic events did happen in Croke Park before it was changed.

In the early 2000s the GAA faced pressure to allow non-Gaelic games at Croke Park so Ireland could co-host Euro 2008 and so Ireland’s national teams could play at home while Lansdowne Road was redeveloped. Several attempts to change Rule 42 failed, with opposition mainly from Ulster counties.

In 2005 the rule was relaxed: Central Council could approve the use of Croke Park for games not controlled by the Association during the Lansdowne Road redevelopment. The change passed by a two-thirds majority. It was agreed that once Lansdowne Road was finished, Rule 42 would revert to its earlier wording, but many in the GAA wanted to keep the expanded use.

On 17 April 2010 the GAA voted to keep Croke Park open for other sports after the redevelopment. Since then, non-Gaelic sports have been allowed at Croke Park on a case-by-case basis, and the policy was made permanent in 2010. Leinster has used the ground for major rugby and other competitions, and a National Football League style NFL game is planned for Dublin in 2025.

There has also been controversy when local GAA units rent their facilities to other sports, arguing it conflicts with Rule 42 but also provides needed revenue. Since 2019, GAA-owned primary county grounds and some outside-Ireland grounds can apply to host other sports if the events fit the association’s aims. Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork has hosted matching events such as a UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifier.