On this week’s episode, we’re joined by RTÉ Head of Sport Declan McBennett to discuss the recent announcement that the broadcaster will remain in the Irish market for Champions League coverage.

He explains why free-to-air television remains vital for sport, how decisions are made around which events are broadcast, and the challenges of balancing audience demand with commercial realities.

We also examine RTÉ’s coverage of Gaelic games, including a defence of its punditry and the role analysis plays in shaping the viewing experience.

Finally, we look to the future of live sport: should the priority be the in-stadium experience or the needs of the television audience?

Arena, a new podcast from the Irish Examiner, offers weekly deep dives into Irish sport. Listen for free on the Irish Examiner website or wherever you get your podcasts.

Get in touch with Maurice at maurice.brosnan@examiner.ie

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re joined by Colin Sheridan to talk about the price of tickets for the Ryder Cup and other big sporting events currently.

Ryder Cup tickets made exclusively available to Irish fans, priced at €499 each, sold out in under an hour last Friday, while practice day (€89) and weekly tickets (€1,999) sold out in under four hours.

Colin explores the evolving relationship between fans and elite sporting events. As prices continue to rise, what alternatives exist for supporters who are priced out? And what does this shift mean for a younger generation’s connection to live sport?

Arena, a new podcast from the Irish Examiner, offers weekly deep dives into Irish sport. Listen for free on the Irish Examiner website or wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch with Maurice on maurice.brosnan@examiner.ie.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re talking funding for athletics. Gerard O’Donnell is a coach with Dublin sprint who knows what it is like as an athlete having won nine national titles in the short hurdles too. He joins us to talk about how the model currently works and where it could improve.

This week, a record €28.5 million in funding was confirmed for Sport Ireland's High Performance Unit for this year. We ask which athletes would benefit most from that support?

Arena, a new podcast from the Irish Examiner, offers weekly deep dives into Irish sport. Listen for free on the Irish Examiner website or wherever you get your podcasts.

Get in touch with Maurice on maurice.brosnan@examiner.ie

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.