In just over six months, Limerick will once again take centre stage on the global rugby map as University of Limerick (UL) prepares to host the 2025 Atlantic Youth Touch Cup. Scheduled to run from July 31 to August 3, this prestigious underage Touch Rugby competition will attract more than 30 teams from up to a dozen nations to the world-class facilities at UL.
This marks another major coup for Limerick following the city's successful hosting of the 2023 Tag Rugby World Cup. The event brought thousands of players and supporters to the region and left a lasting legacy for the sport locally. Now, with the Atlantic Youth Touch Cup on the horizon, excitement is building once more.
The competition, organised by the Federation of International Touch (FIT), will feature national teams competing across seven grades, from Under-15 to Under-20. This will be the largest international Touch Rugby tournament ever held in Ireland, further cementing UL's reputation as a premier venue for international sports events.
Speaking at the Official Launch, Mayor of Limerick John Moran, said:
“Limerick’s ability to attract such a prestigious event reaffirms our reputation for hosting large-scale International sporting events. Essential to this of course is our collaborative approach, superb facilities and renowned hospitality. I would like to congratulate everyone involved in the successful bid. Hosting large, international sports events produces millions in economic impact for Limerick and will provide a very welcome boost to the hospitality, tourism and retail sectors in the region.”
Michelle Mulcahy, Director of the Ireland Touch Association (ITA), said:
“We are absolutely thrilled to have been selected to host the Atlantic Youth Touch Cup in Limerick. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our renowned Irish hospitality to visiting teams from Europe, South Africa, and the USA. It’s not only about the sport—we also want to highlight Ireland’s beautiful Wild Atlantic Way and create lasting memories for everyone involved.”
Touch Rugby, a fast-paced, non-contact sport that prioritises skill, speed, and spatial awareness, is growing in popularity across Ireland. The game is widely recognised in Australia and New Zealand for its role in developing young rugby players. Locally, the sport is governed by the ITA, with teams such as Munster Touch Rugby Club, based in Parteen, contributing to its development.
University of Limerick worked with Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau on the bid to attract the event to the region, with the support of Failte Ireland and Limerick City and County Council.
David Ward, UL Events, University of Limerick said:
“The state-of-the-art sports campus at UL Sport will provide an ideal setting for the competition, offering convenient access to pitches, accommodation, and facilities for players, referees, and supporters. In recent years we’ve hosted World & European Championships for a wide variety of sports including Flag Football, Archery, Lacrosse, Chess and many more. With the addition of the Atlantic Youth Touch Cup, UL is reinforcing its reputation as a go-to destination for major international tournaments.”
According to Karen Ronan, Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau, the Atlantic Youth Touch Cup will bring significant economic benefits to the Limerick region:
“With hundreds of players, coaches, and supporters expected to descend on the city, local businesses will benefit from increased visitor numbers, particularly in the hospitality and tourism sectors. In partnership with Failte Ireland, we’re delighted to support UL with this bid to attract another European championship to the Shannon area,”
For more information about the event, please visit the Ireland Touch Association website www.irelandtouch.ie
