Women’s Aid has been named the official charity partner for the 2026 Irish FA Women’s Challenge Cup Final, strengthening the Irish FA’s commitment to raising awareness of domestic abuse and tackling violence against women and girls.
The partnership builds on the launch of Fair Game last year, a collaborative initiative led by the Irish FA Foundation, Women’s Aid, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Ulster University and six local councils across Northern Ireland.
Launched in November 2025, the pioneering six-week programme uses football environments to engage young men in conversations around respect, healthy relationships, accountability and positive masculinity, harnessing the influence of the game to help challenge attitudes and behaviours that contribute to violence against women and girls.
Irish FA Director of Women’s Football, Angela Platt, said:
“Violence against women and girls is one of the key societal issues our country faces today. We are committed to using football’s reach to help tackle it and we’re delighted to partner with Women’s Aid to help make this happen, following on from the launch of Fair Game last year.
“The reach of football gives us an important platform to raise awareness, challenge attitudes and ensure that people know where they can access support.
“We are proud that the Women’s Challenge Cup Final can provide that platform while celebrating the continued growth and development of women’s football in Northern Ireland.”
The partnership will use the profile of women’s football to reach communities across Northern Ireland, highlighting the impact of domestic abuse and signposting the support available to women and children affected by it.
Women’s Aid provides vital services to women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse across Northern Ireland.
Sonya McMullan, Acting CEO and Regional Services Manager at Women’s Aid Federation NI, said:
“Every year, Women’s Aid provides vital support to women, children and young people from communities right across Northern Ireland who have been impacted by domestic abuse.
“During 2024/25 alone, 524 women and 364 children stayed in a Women’s Aid refuge in Northern Ireland, while a further 5,810 women living in the community were supported by Women’s Aid services.
“We work with thousands of women every year to help empower them to thrive following domestic abuse, and we are absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to be a partner at the Women’s Challenge Cup Final, an important event that celebrates the strength, resilience and determination of women, both on and off the pitch.”
The partnership comes against a backdrop of significant levels of domestic abuse across Northern Ireland. PSNI figures for 2024/25 recorded 29,751 domestic abuse incidents and 18,393 domestic abuse crimes – equivalent to an average of one call relating to a domestic abuse incident every 17 minutes.
Through this partnership, the Irish FA and Women’s Aid aim to use the reach of football to encourage positive change, raise awareness and ensure more people know where to turn for support.
The 2026 Irish FA Women’s Challenge Cup Final will take place at The Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park on Saturday 24 October.
