Derry City get green light from GAA to play home games at Celtic Park

DERRY CITY Football Club has got the green light from the GAA's Central Council to play its home games at Celtic Park during April and May 2026 when work commences on the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

The Brandywell club's 4G pitch is set to be lifted and replaced by a state-of-the-art hybrid surface with a sprinkler system which will be bankrolled by the Candystripes' chairman Philip O'Doherty.

Derry City has been granted permission for the temporary use of Celtic Park between April and May 2026.

placeholder image — Derry City has been granted permission for the temporary use of Celtic Park between April and May 2026.

Derry City's relationship with its GAA counterparts in the Oak Leaf county has strengthened over the past 12 months as the club has been renting Derry GAA's Owenbeg Centre of Excellence which has proved a huge success.

And after meetings of An Coiste Bainistíochta and Ard Chomhairle on Friday and Saturday, permission has been given for them to play home games at the county's home venue 400 yards from its traditional base on the Lone Moor Road.

A general view of Celtic Park which will host at least four of Derry City's Premier Division games.

Preparations have already been put into motion in terms of security and any potential logistical issues that may arise while Derry City will need to make some alterations to the pitch to make it suitable to host a League of Ireland fixture.

There will potentially be four Premier Division games played at Celtic Park with a mouthwatering clash against champions Shamrock Rovers on April 24th expected to be the first of those.

That will be followed by a game against Galway Utd on May 4, St Patrick’s Athletic on May 22, and Shelbourne on May 25.