In an unusual East Belfast sporting move, Glentoran Football Club has announced a new partnership with Knock Golf Club, who will join the Club as an Official Partner for 2026.
The agreement brings together two of East Belfast’s most established sporting institutions to deliver high-quality experiences for their respective communities, strengthening the shared membership and partner network across both organisations.
As part of the partnership, Knock Golf Club will benefit from prominent pitchside branding at The BetMcLean Oval throughout 2026, alongside recognition across Glentoran’s official digital and matchday channels.
The collaboration will also include an official Glentoran corporate golf day, mutual brand visibility at both venues and a range of corporate and member engagement opportunities designed to further connect players, partners and supporters.
Glentoran’s commercial partners, staff and players will have access to year-round golfing opportunities at one of Northern Ireland’s most respected courses, while Knock Golf Club will promote the Club to its membership through targeted communications and social media activity.
The agreement with Knock Golf Club forms part of Glentoran’s continued commercial growth, reinforcing the Club’s commitment to building a sustainable and progressive partnership portfolio aligned to its ambitions on and off the pitch.
Recent agreements include BetMcLean as Main Partner, Macron as Technical Kit Partner, STATSports as GPS Performance Provider, Future Ticketing as Digital Ticketing Partner, Creative Commercial Interiors as Commercial Interiors Partner, Bodyscape as Official Health & Wellness Partner and Box-It as Official Packaging Partner.
Ross Strathearn, Chief Commercial Officer at Glentoran, said: “We’re really pleased to bring Knock Golf Club on board for 2026. It’s a partnership that makes sense for the Club and for our commercial partners.
“There’s a natural crossover between our memberships and partner networks, and having access to a venue like Knock gives us a strong platform to host sponsors, strengthen relationships and create opportunities away from matchday.
“The official Glentoran golf day will also provide an important opportunity to raise funds for the Club while bringing partners and supporters together in a first-class setting. We’re looking forward to building a strong relationship over the year ahead.”
Founded in 1895, Knock Golf Club is a classic parkland course located beside the Stormont Estate in East Belfast and is recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s most established golfing venues.
Known for its tree-lined fairways, fast greens and consistently high standards of presentation, Knock blends tradition with a modern clubhouse and hospitality offering. The club also shares a historic connection with Glentoran, including its association with Lord Glentoran, who previously served as President.
Aaron McConnell, General Manager at Knock Golf Club said: “We are delighted to partner with Glentoran for 2026. There is a long-standing connection between our organisations and this agreement reflects the strength of that relationship within the East Belfast sporting community.
“By working closely together, we can create opportunities for our members, partners and supporters from corporate engagement and shared visibility to hosting Glentoran’s official golf day. We see this as the beginning of a strong relationship that will deliver benefits for both clubs.”