eir says summer event data use rises 24.4% in Ireland
Mon, 24th Aug 2026 (Today)
eir said mobile data use across six major summer events in Ireland rose 24.4% from a year earlier, covering festivals, concerts and cultural gatherings.
The largest year-on-year increase came at All Together Now, where mobile data use rose 40%. Demand also increased 25% at Malahide Castle, 24% at Kaleidoscope, 19% at Marlay Park, 17% at Bloom and 8% at St Anne's Park.
The figures point to heavier phone use at large gatherings as people share video, send messages, check travel details and follow event information. eir based the overall comparison on six events that appeared in both its 2025 and 2026 datasets.
Concert peaks
At the Aviva Stadium, concerts accounted for the five biggest mobile data peaks recorded by eir so far this year. The first of Dermot Kennedy's two July concerts generated about 6% more mobile data than Lana Del Rey's 2025 concert, making it the highest event total in the stadium dataset.
The Aviva analysis covered 24 listed events in 2026. Across those events, 5G carried an average of 50.5% of mobile data.
That share peaked during Metallica's concert in June, when 72.9% of mobile data traffic at the stadium ran over 5G. The figures suggest newer mobile networks are playing a larger role in handling dense crowds at major entertainment events.
Croke Park
At Croke Park, the friendly match between Manchester United and Leeds United produced the highest mobile data demand among 11 events analysed by eir in 2026. The match drew 82,000 supporters, which eir said was the largest crowd recorded for a soccer match in Ireland.
Voice traffic followed a different pattern. The All-Ireland Senior Football Final between Kerry and Mayo generated the highest mobile voice demand among the Croke Park events in the analysis.
The contrast between data and voice use suggests fans rely more heavily on internet-based services at some events, while traditional calling remains important at others. Large national sporting fixtures still appear to prompt strong voice use alongside mobile data.
5G share
Outside the main stadiums, eir reviewed seven outdoor event deployments in 2026. Kaleidoscope recorded the highest proportion of traffic carried over 5G at 50.9%, followed by All Together Now at 48.7% and Luke Combs at Slane Castle at 47.8%.
Slane Castle was included in the 2026 event ranking but not in the year-on-year growth calculation because no 2025 comparator was available. The matched-event comparison therefore covered Bloom, St Anne's Park, Malahide Castle, Marlay Park, Kaleidoscope and All Together Now.
The analysis adds to a broader picture of how audiences now use mobile networks at live events. Instead of relying mainly on calls and texts, attendees are uploading video, posting on social media and using digital services throughout the day, placing heavier demands on network capacity at venues and temporary sites.
Oliver Loomes, chief executive officer of eir, said the data reflected a change in how people experience major public gatherings in Ireland.
"Ireland's biggest events are no longer simply watched; they are shared live. From local festivals and football matches to major concerts and All-Ireland Finals, connectivity is now integral to how people experience the moments that bring us together. This summer's increase in mobile data use shows the growing role of connectivity in everyday life and the importance of having the coverage, capacity and resilience to support thousands of people gathering in one place.
"eir's mobile network has been recognised by Opensignal as Ireland's No. 1 network for both 5G Coverage Experience and 5G Availability, with our 5G network reaching 99% of the population. This reflects our continued investment and the expertise of our people.
"I want to sincerely thank our mobile network and technology teams working at events across Ireland this summer. Much of their work happens behind the scenes, before, during and after each event, and it is their dedication that keeps people connected. Together, we are building the digital infrastructure that enables people and communities to participate fully in shared experiences, wherever they happen."