Cork GAA has outlined its ticketing plans ahead of the county championship.

The football championship is set to kick off next Friday 24th July while the hurling will start on July 31st.

A number of games will be live on RTE and TG4, and although many fans were looking forward to flooding into stadiums there’s still going to be a limited capacity.

Pairc Ui Rinn will play host to a number of games while bigger grounds such as Mallow, Clonakilty and Pairc Ui Caoimhe will also be used.

Cork GAA say there will still be a limit of up to 200 people gathering at the games, and once places are allocated to players, coaches, officials, and media only a maximum of 80 will be left available to fans.

These tickets will be put into a new online system which will launch next week and premium ticket holders will be given access to it ahead of everyone else.

Chairperson Tracey Kennedy said: “Full details of the Ticketmaster/Universe system recommended by the GAA will be outlined to clubs early next week, and look forward to seeing it in operation next weekend,

“While operating our games with a limit of 200 in attendance is a huge challenge, we have worked hard to develop an allocation system that is as fair as possible. However, it is absolutely vital for the safe operation of our games that no-one turns up without the appropriate ticket. Everyone from players to host club members to spectators must have a ticket from the online system.

“Arrangements for the allocation of these tickets have been sent to clubs today, along with details of priority arrangements for club season ticket and premium ticket holders, who have already paid for their tickets and will have access to the ticketing system twenty-four hours ahead of everyone else.

“Unfortunately, the 200 limit means that we will have a maximum of 80 tickets available for supporters when teams and officials, host venue staff, media and other essential personnel are covered. These will be offered to season/premium ticket holders initially, with the remainder divided evenly between the participating clubs, and anything left after that will go on general sale.

“A number of our games will be broadcast live on TG4 and RTE, and we will be confirming the streaming of some games in due course. I know our local media will also do a fantastic job in bringing us details of as many games as possible.

“This situation is far from ideal, but in this new Covid-19 world, we are getting accustomed to making adjustments, and I am sure people will understand the restrictions under which we have to operate.

“Once more, I would appeal to supporters not to attend games unless they have purchased a ticket via the online system, which will go live early next week, and to follow all GAA and public health guidance for attending games.”

The new rules for going to GAA games

Attendance at all games will be by ticket only

Tickets must be pre-purchased online via Ticketmaster/Universe (details to follow). We appeal to patrons not to turn up at any venue without a ticket.

There will be no sale of tickets at venues.

No cash sales are permitted.

Anyone inside the ground at a game must have a ticket, including players, stewards, media etc (see point 2 below). Children of any age must have a ticket.

No-one can be admitted to the ground without a valid ticket for each individual game.

Season ticket/premium ticket/media passes can only be used in conjunction with a ticket (see point 2 below).

Tickets will be scanned via mobile phone app at all venues (more details to follow).

Tickets are priced at €8 for all round-robin games; no concessions are available.

Ticket allocation

Tickets will be allocated on the online system via individual or group codes which will be provided in advance.

Participating teams and officials: 40 tickets each.

Host venue/stewards/referees and officials/media etc 40 tickets allocated by the Cork GAA office.

A maximum of 80 spectator tickets will be available while the 200 restriction applies

Season ticket/premium ticket holders have already paid for their tickets, and will have priority access to the online system for 24 hours before everyone else ahead of each round of games (they will be notified when this access is opened) in which to download a ticket for games they wish to attend, subject to certain limitations.

Remaining tickets for each game will be offered to the participating clubs in equal amounts for optional online purchase.

Subsequent to this, in the event that any of the 80 spectator tickets remain, they will be put on general sale online.

It is expected that ahead of next weekend’s games, the priority window for season/premium ticket holders will be activated over the weekend, any club spectator allocation will be made available on Monday or Tuesday, and any remaining tickets will go on general sale later in the week.

Broadcasting/Streaming of Games

A number of County Championship games will be televised by TG4 and RTE.

A number of County Championship games will be live-streamed – further details to follow.

As always, any live streaming of games by clubs or individuals is not permitted.

Requirements in relation to permission to video games are in place as normal.

Match arrangements

The CCC has formally adopted the Croke Park match regulations to apply to all games in the Cork county championships – these have already been sent to clubs.

Any public health issues arising during the championships will be examined on a case-by-case basis by the CCC in line with national GAA and HSE guidance.

As previously communicated, dressing rooms and all other indoor facilities apart from toilets remain closed.

All public health and GAA guidance for attending events should be followed by anyone attending a game in any capacity.