Ireland's National Ploughing Association raises 2026 tickets to €30–€35 amid €150K loss, falling attendance, and rising costs.

The National Ploughing Association of Ireland plans to raise 2026 ticket prices by €5, with advance adult tickets increasing to €30 and gate prices to €35, after reporting a post-tax loss of €150,926 for the year ending January 2025. Revenue dropped 3% to €5.96 million, while rising operational costs, including minimum wage hikes and new pension policies, contributed to an operational loss of €718,000. Attendance fell to 225,000 in 2025, down from 244,000 the previous year. Despite the loss, the non-profit organization maintains €11.78 million in reserves and expects the event’s annual economic impact to exceed €50 million. Officials warn ongoing cost increases threaten long-term sustainability.