TU Dublin to Host Biggest-Ever Dublin City Council SportsFest
TU Dublin’s Grangegorman Campus will welcome families and communities from across Dublin on Saturday, 26 September, as the university hosts the first-ever free family sports day as part of Dublin City Council SportsFest 2026.
Running from 12pm to 5pm, the event will transform TU Dublin’s state-of-the-art sports facilities into a citywide celebration of sport, physical activity and community, with a packed programme of free activities for people of all ages and abilities.
Olympic champion and Dublin City Council Sports Ambassador Kellie Harrington officially launched the event, alongside Lord Mayor of Dublin Daryl Barron and Dr Deirdre Lillis, President of TU Dublin.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Dublin City Council SportsFest, which has grown from a series of local initiatives into a citywide programme promoting physical activity, healthier lifestyles and community participation.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Deirdre Lillis, President of TU Dublin, said:
“Grangegorman Campus is a fantastic amenity, and we are delighted to open it up to the city for a free family fun day as part of Dublin City Council’s SportsFest 2026. It is a wonderful opportunity for young people and families from across Dublin to try a variety of sports, get active and experience our campus. For many, it may also be their first visit to a university, offering a glimpse of what life at TU Dublin could be like and the opportunities available to them.”
A day of sport at Grangegorman
Visitors to the Grangegorman Sports Campus can try an extensive range of sports and activities, from NFL football, basketball, GAA, soccer, rugby and athletics to rock climbing, boxing, parkour, ultimate frisbee and tug-of-war.
The programme will also feature dance workshops, fitness classes and yoga sessions, alongside dedicated neurodiverse activities and age-friendly sports. Families can enjoy free face painting, while a Sensory Bus will be on site as part of the event’s focus on accessibility and inclusion.
The partnership between Dublin City Council and TU Dublin will give visitors the opportunity to experience the university’s sports facilities while discovering more about the campus and the opportunities available at TU Dublin.
Celebrating 10 years of SportsFest
Launching this year’s programme, Lord Mayor of Dublin Daryl Barron said:
“Dublin City Council SportsFest has become one of Dublin's most successful initiatives for promoting health, wellbeing and community participation, and I am delighted to see it celebrate its tenth year. Over the past decade it has encouraged people of all ages and abilities to get involved in sport, try new activities and connect with their local communities.
“The introduction of a free family sports day at Grangegorman is a fantastic addition to the programme. I would encourage everyone to come along, get active, meet local clubs and organisations, and enjoy what promises to be a fun, welcoming and inclusive day for all.”
The 2026 programme is the largest SportsFest to date, bringing together Dublin City Council’s extensive network of sports facilities, parks, programmes and community coaching initiatives.
Part of European Week of Sport
The Grangegorman event forms part of Dublin’s contribution to the European Week of Sport and the #BeActive campaign, which promotes sport and physical activity across Europe. Representatives from the European Commission will also attend, highlighting the importance of active lifestyles, inclusion and community participation at both local and European level.
With TU Dublin opening its Grangegorman Campus to the city, SportsFest 2026 offers a unique opportunity for families to try something new, get active and experience one of Dublin’s leading university sports campuses.
TU Dublin Grangegorman Campus
Saturday, 26 September 2026
12pm–5pm
More information will be available from: https://www.dcswphub.ie/