Belfast footfall reached 176,464 on first day of Fleadh, 95pc increase on 2025Sunday crowds peaked at 25,000 near City Hall at 3pmMonday footfall of 165,077 represented 75pc year-on-year increaseOver 700,000 visitors expected across eight-day festivalRoads around City Hall closed from 5am Wednesday due to high footfallTourism NI, together with Belfast City Council, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) and Ards CCÉ, has welcomed Thursday’s release of figures which show the total recorded footfall in Belfast city centre reached 176,464 on Sunday – the first day of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026. The figure, released by Belfast One BID, represents a 95pc increase for the location for the same day last year. The data has been taken from Belfast One BID cameras which track footfall in the square mile around City Hall. Over 700,000 visitors are expected to descend on Belfast City Centre during the eight-day celebration of music, dance, song, culture and competition. TourismNI Shared in a written statement: “The total recorded footfall in Belfast city centre reached 176,464 on Sunday – the first day of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026.”