7 Ways GAA Clubs Can Generate New Revenue Without Building Extensions
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Running a GAA club involves significant ongoing costs. Utilities, equipment, insurance, pitch maintenance, facility improvements and day-to-day operating expenses can all place demands on club finances.
Traditional fundraising remains an important part of club life, but committees may also be interested in another question: can we make greater use of the facilities, space and community we already have?
For some clubs, developing additional activities or services may create opportunities for supplementary income without immediately committing to a major clubhouse extension. Every club is different, and none of the ideas below guarantees additional revenue. Their suitability will depend on factors including location, membership, demand, available facilities, volunteers, operating costs and any requirements that apply to the particular activity.
With that in mind, here are seven ideas worth exploring.
1. Explore Hiring Club Facilities During Off-Peak Hours
Some club facilities may be relatively quiet at particular times of the week. Depending on the clubhouse and local demand, spaces might potentially be used for activities such as:
- Community meetings
- Local organisation meetings
- Business workshops
- Exercise or fitness classes
- Educational courses
- Training events
- Club and community activities
For clubs with appropriate facilities, offering bookable spaces may provide an additional use for areas that would otherwise be underused. Before introducing commercial or third-party use, clubs should consider matters such as insurance, access, supervision and any other requirements relevant to their particular facility and proposed activity.
2. Explore a Commercial Sauna or Outdoor Wellness Facility
Outdoor wellness has become increasingly visible around Ireland, including sauna experiences, sea swimming and cold-water activities. For some GAA clubs, a commercial outdoor sauna could form part of a wider plan to develop the facilities available to players, members or the local community.
Possible uses might include:
- Bookable sauna sessions
- Member sauna evenings
- Community wellness events
- Private group bookings
- Club events
- Partnerships with other local organisations
A mobile sauna may also offer a different approach from constructing a permanent sauna building. However, mobile does not automatically mean that planning, insurance, licensing, safety or other requirements won't apply. The appropriate requirements will depend on the individual club, site and intended operation, and clubs should establish these independently with the relevant authorities, insurers and professional advisers where appropriate.
3. Create Seasonal Community Events
A GAA club already has something many businesses spend years trying to build: a connection with its local community.
Depending on the club, seasonal events might include:
- Christmas markets
- Family fun days
- Coffee mornings
- Outdoor cinema evenings
- Local craft fairs
- Community activity days
- Club open days
- Wellness-themed events
Events can introduce different groups within the community to the club and may also provide opportunities for activities such as admissions, food sales, sponsorship or merchandise. The commercial viability of any event will naturally depend on attendance, costs, volunteers and the individual circumstances of the club.
4. Develop Local Business Partnerships
Many local businesses already support community sport through sponsorship and partnerships. Clubs looking to broaden those relationships could explore options such as:
- Pitch-side sponsorship
- Digital advertising
- Match or event sponsorship
- Facility sponsorship
- Community programme partnerships
- Corporate membership arrangements
- Sponsorship of particular club initiatives
The right arrangement will vary considerably between clubs and businesses. Rather than simply asking businesses for financial support, clubs may find it useful to consider what genuine value or visibility they can offer a potential partner in return.
5. Explore Membership Options Beyond Playing Members
Not everybody who wants to be involved with their local GAA club necessarily wants to play competitive sport. Depending on the club and its constitution, facilities and objectives, committees might consider whether there are opportunities to engage other sections of the community.
Activities could potentially include:
- Walking groups
- Social events
- Fitness activities
- Community mornings
- Family activities
- Wellness events
- Sauna sessions where appropriate
- Other non-playing club activities
The objective doesn't necessarily have to be increasing membership numbers. It can simply be about considering how the club might provide greater opportunities for different people within the community to participate.
6. Make Better Use of Existing Club Assets
Before investing in something new, it can be worth looking at what the club already owns. Depending on the facility, that might include:
- Meeting rooms
- Function rooms
- Astro pitches
- Training areas
- Event equipment
- Marquees
- Parking areas
- Other club facilities
Some assets may have potential uses outside their current schedule. A simple booking or enquiry system can also make it easier for committees to manage requests and understand how frequently particular facilities are being used. Clubs should establish whether insurance, permissions, supervision or other requirements apply before making facilities or equipment available to third parties.
7. Consider Flexible Facilities Alongside Permanent Construction
A clubhouse extension may be the right investment for some clubs. For others, committees may want to investigate alternative or complementary options before committing to permanent construction. Depending on the club's objectives, possibilities might include:
- Mobile coffee units
- Outdoor fitness areas
- Event equipment
- Modular facilities
- Commercial mobile saunas
- Other movable or standalone amenities
The potential advantage of considering different formats is flexibility. However, a movable or standalone facility should not be assumed to be exempt from planning, insurance, safety, accessibility or other requirements. Nor should any facility be regarded as guaranteed to generate revenue. Before investing, clubs should consider expected demand, capital cost, operating expenses, staffing or volunteer requirements, maintenance and how the facility would actually be used.
Thinking About Long-Term GAA Club Development
There isn't one formula for creating a financially sustainable sports club. A strategy that works successfully for one club may be completely inappropriate for another. But committees can ask useful questions:
- Which of our facilities are currently underused?
- What would our members and community genuinely value?
- Could existing facilities be used differently?
- What would an additional service actually cost to operate?
- Is there evidence of local demand before we invest?
- Who will manage it?
- What requirements need to be established before proceeding?
Those questions can help move the conversation from simply finding the next fundraising idea towards thinking more broadly about the club's facilities and long-term plans. You may also find our article on why sports clubs should focus on member retention a useful read alongside this one.
Considering a Commercial Sauna for Your GAA Club?
For clubs exploring an outdoor sauna or wider wellness facility, Irish Sauna Company designs and manufactures commercial and mobile saunas in Corr na Móna, County Galway.
Our commercial range includes options for different anticipated capacities, including The Atlantic — our 10–12 person commercial mobile sauna, as well as bespoke projects where appropriate. We can discuss aspects of the sauna project including intended capacity, available space, mobile or fixed configuration, heating options, internal layout, anticipated usage and project specification.
Our role is to provide information and specifications relating to the sauna we manufacture. Individual clubs should undertake their own assessment of commercial viability and independently establish any planning, insurance, regulatory, operational or other requirements relevant to their proposed project.
You're also welcome to visit our manufacturing facility in Corr na Móna, County Galway, see our commercial saunas under construction and discuss your project with our team.