Updated / Tuesday, 28 Jul 2026 11:53
Eir said it saw a “massive” surge in data usage on Sunday as GAA fans shared the news of Mayo’s Croke Park victory over Kerry in the All Ireland Football final.
The company said that supporters all across the country took to their phones to celebrate, resulting in a 36% increase in data usage compared to an average day.
The celebrations were particularly visible in Mayo, where data traffic across eir’s four main mobile network sites in Castlebar jumped by almost 49% on the night of the team homecoming, rising from 4.5TB the previous Sunday to 6.7TB.
Eir also noted that the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina generated an additional 30% in data usage a couple of weeks ago.
“To see a whopping 36% increase in data usage during Mayo’s historic win demonstrates just how central streaming has become to everyday life in Ireland,” an eir spokesperson said.
“Whether people were watching at home, following the match on the move, or supporting the team overseas, our networks stood up to the demand and kept Ireland connected when it mattered most,” they said.
“As more of our entertainment moves online, we’re continuing to invest in the connectivity that keeps our customers connected to the moments that matter most,” they added.
Eir said the recent data surges came from live matches, viewed through screens large and small, on-demand services, or highlights streamed across multiple devices.
Mayo’s wins drives highest-ever roaming peak on Vodafone Ireland Network
Vodafone Ireland said it recorded its highest-ever roaming data traffic peak during Sunday’s All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, as supporters across Ireland and around the world tuned in to follow one of the biggest days in the sporting calendar.
Roaming traffic increased by 80% above the typical daily peak, making it the highest roaming traffic spike ever recorded on the Vodafone Ireland network.
Big sporting moments such as an All-Ireland Final increasingly drive demand for international connectivity as supporters tune in, share reactions and celebrate together across borders.
The surge was mirrored across entertainment services, with customer viewing on Vodafone TV increasing threefold compared with a typical Sunday, as fans streamed pre-match analysis, live coverage and post-match reaction throughout the day.
Sheila Kavanagh, Network Director, Vodafone Ireland, said the All-Ireland Final delivered the highest roaming peak ever recorded on Vodafone Ireland’s network, highlighting the growing role connectivity plays in how fans experience and share major sporting moments both at home and aboard.
Last week, the FIFA World Cup Final also delivered one of the busiest evenings on Vodafone Ireland’s network this year, with mobile data traffic increasing by 32%.
During the tournament, network traffic peaks were 40% above normal levels, while roaming usage surged by up to 39% as customers stayed connected from abroad.
