AFL and GAA Officials Discuss International Rules Return
Representatives met in Dublin to plan the potential comeback of the International Rules series for 2027.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Football
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AFL officials recently traveled to Croke Park in Dublin to meet with GAA leaders regarding the revival of the International Rules series. The discussions follow the success of the inaugural AFLW Australia versus Ireland game held in August 2026.
Why it matters
The meeting aims to formalize the return of the men's International Rules series in 2027 while addressing protocols for Irish players who balance commitments to Gaelic Football and the Australian Football League.
The 2027 series is targeted to follow the last full competition held in 2017. This push for international engagement follows the inaugural AFLW match between Australia and Ireland hosted in August 2026.
The players
AFL
The Australian Football League is the preeminent professional competition for Australian rules football.
GAA
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an Irish amateur sporting and cultural organization that governs Gaelic football and hurling.
Oisin Mullin
He is an Irish professional athlete who transitioned to playing Australian rules football for Geelong.
The details
Recruiters have increasingly targeted Irish talent, such as Oisin Mullin, who joined Geelong in 2022, and Kobe McDonald, a rookie for St Kilda in 2025. The GAA is seeking better support structures for athletes returning home for local championships, including the Mayo squad that secured an All-Ireland title in July 2026.
Timeline
The last International Rules series took place in 2017.
Oisin Mullin joined Geelong in 2022.
Mayo won the All-Ireland title in July 2026.
The inaugural AFLW Australia v Ireland game occurred in August 2026.
The International Rules series is planned for a return in 2027.
Season Trajectory
The revival of the International Rules series signals a broader shift toward integrating elite Irish talent into the AFL system. By addressing player release protocols now, both leagues hope to sustain the competitive balance seen during the 2026 representative games.
Fans can expect increased recruitment activity for Irish athletes across AFL clubs ahead of the 2027 season. These new protocols will dictate how players like recent premiership winner Conor McKenna navigate schedules between Gaelic Football and professional Australian rules play.
The takeaway
The potential return of International Rules marks a bridge between two distinct athletic traditions. Athletes are encouraged to monitor upcoming league announcements regarding eligibility and release terms for international dual-code participation.
What happens next
AFL and GAA organizations are preparing for potential representative games in 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Afl.
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