Dublin City Council has launched its most extensive Dublin City Council SportsFest yet, marking a decade of initiatives promoting sport, physical activity and community wellbeing across the capital. The announcement was made alongside the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daryl Barron, Dr Deirdre Lillis, President of Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), and Olympic champion and Dublin City Council Sports Ambassador Kellie Harrington.

To celebrate the 10-year milestone, the Council's Sports & Recreation Section, working with the Central Area Office and TU Dublin, will stage its first-ever free family sports day at the TU Dublin Grangegorman Sports Campus on Saturday, 26 September 2026, from 12pm to 5pm, as part of Dublin City Council SportsFest 2026.

Launching the programme, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daryl Barron, said: "Dublin City CouncilSportsFest 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."

Now in its tenth year, Dublin City Council SportsFest has expanded from local activities into a citywide celebration of sport and recreation. With TU Dublin opening its state-of-the-art facilities, the event will showcase the Council's network of sports centres, parks, programmes and community coaching in one hub.

Attendees can try a wide range of free activities and demonstrations, including NFL football, basketball, GAA, soccer, rugby and athletics, as well as rock climbing, boxing, parkour, ultimate frisbee and tug-of-war. There will also be dance workshops, fitness classes and yoga, plus dedicated neurodiverse activities, age-friendly sports and free face painting. A Sensory Bus will be on site, underscoring a strong focus on accessibility, inclusivity and participation for all.

The event is part of the European Week of Sport and the #BeActive campaign, with representatives from the European Commission set to attend to highlight the value of active lifestyles, inclusion and community participation at both local and European levels.