 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2023) |
| Dates | 9 August 2016 – 12 August 2016 |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Etihad Airways |
The 2016 Etihad Airways GAA World Games was a global competition of Gaelic football, hurling, and camogie run by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), featuring teams from six continents. This was the 2nd GAA World Games and the first to be played in Ireland, with the first ever tournament played in Abu Dhabi the previous summer. The opening ceremony and throw in was held on August 6 at Croke Park, while the majority of the games were held at University College Dublin from 9 August to 11 August 2016, with the finals being played on Friday, 12 August 2016 at Croke Park.
The GAA's four main sports (men's Gaelic football), ladies' Gaelic football, hurling and camogie (women's version of hurling) were featured at the event. Each sport consisted of two separate tournaments: one for native players (born and raised in the country they are competing for) and one for Irish born players (born in Ireland before emigrating to whatever team they are playing for), creating a total of 8 separate competitions.
Each game has 9 players a side with 9 minutes a half. As the tournament progresses the game time increases to 12 minutes a half in the knockout and then 15 minutes a half in the shield, plate and final games. This is different to the usual game which has 15 players a side with 30 minutes a half. During the four days 254 games were played with the 8 finals being played in Croke Park. With the games at UCD having free entry
The games were not broadcast live but Irish language public broadcaster TG4 later broadcast highlights, features and interviews of the tournament in December that year. The program was also made available on TG4 Player, the broadcasters on demand streaming network.[1] The opening and closing ceremonies were televised around the world.[citation needed]
- ^ "TG4 to Broadcast GAA World Games Programme on Dec 4th". 3 December 2016.