Former Maghera man John McClean, organiser of the flagship FarmFLiX tractor-pulling event #OnThePull, has announced that Credit Unions will return as principal sponsor of the 2026 showcase, which is set to feature the most powerful and competitive Class 5 line-up in the event’s history.
FarmFLiX has announced that Credit Unions will return as principal sponsor of this summer’s #OnThePull 2026 event, as the flagship tractor-pulling showcase prepares for its most powerful Class 5 line-up ever.
Taking place at Gally Hill Farm, County Antrim, on Saturday, July 4, #OnThePull2026, will see the most dramatic and competitive Class 5 showdown the competition has ever staged, with 16 monster tractors already registered. They will be among more than 90 machines competing in a series of head-to-head races.
Fans of the event are being reminded to purchase their tickets at
onthepull.co by midnight on Sunday, February 1, to avoid missing the final FarmFLiX-hosted event. Limited standing and seated tickets remain and will no longer be available after the February 1 sales deadline to facilitate planning the event logistics.
The popular agri-streaming firm has also confirmed that the 2026 event will be “The Last Dance”, marking the final time the FarmFLiX team will run #OnThePull as they seek a partner to pass the baton on to around the future direction of the event.
Returning for the first time since 2024, this year the FarmFLiX team is also creating a top-secret new course to weatherproof it for participants and help ensure the event stays on time.
On the day, each tractor will pull one of six loaded Redrock trailers, specially built for the competition. They face a 120-metre hill climb, before tackling a series of obstacle challenges, designed to test engine power, traction, and driver skill. Drivers race against the clock to secure leaderboard positions before progressing into the knockout stages across five horsepower-based classes. Popular with viewers at home and abroad, videos of previous years’ events have attracted well over one million views worldwide.
Speaking ahead of #OnThePull2026, FarmFLiX founder John McClean said: "We are incredibly proud that the Irish League of Credit Unions has decided to once again power #OnThePull2026 as Principal Sponsor. With their support as an organisation that understands rural life, and the farming and agri-communities across this island, we are set to offer our attendees another great day to remember.
“Since we last ran the event, it's been great to see the tractor pulling scene in Ireland going from strength to strength. There are lots of folks out there who have taken their standard agricultural tractors and modified them to have an extra 50-100hp throughout the field of competitors.
“Class 5 has always been the big showdown finale for the event, and this year it is bigger than ever with 16 tractors entered with half of them, incredibly, doing over 400hp. This will be a competition for the ages. Old rivalries will take to the track once more for the bragging rights of who got to the top of the hill first, and more importantly, who’s going to bring the silverware home. It’s going to be a fantastic day out, so make sure you get your tickets at
onthepull.co by 1 February as we have to close sales then to begin our planning for the event.”
Speaking about the Irish League of Credit Union’s decision to once again return as Principal Sponsor of the unique event, Martin Fisher, Head of Northern Ireland, ILCU added: “We’re delighted to once again support #OnThePull as Principal Sponsor. Credit unions are deeply embedded in rural communities, and this partnership allows us to engage with the agri sector in a relevant, meaningful way. The event reflects many of the same values we stand for – community, resilience, and ambition. We are looking forward to another amazing event.”
Adding to the sense of competitiveness on the day, all five class winners from last year are returning to defend their crowns, representing towns across NI, ROI, and GB. They are:
Class 1: Angus Elliott from Ballinamallard in his Ford 7810 Silver Jubilee
Class 2: James Smyth from Dungiven, in his Case International 1255XL
Class 3: Alwyn Young from Castlederg in his Massey Ferguson 3695
Class 4: Ryan McMullan from Carnlough in his Massey Ferguson 6499
Class 5: Paul Clapton from Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England, in his Fendt 942.
Also returning alongside the Irish League of Credit Unions are trailer partners Redrock, who have constructed six specially built trailers for the competition.
As in previous years, FarmFLiX will also donate all proceeds from driver entry fees and collections at the event to the Air Ambulance NI Charity.
In the meantime, farming fans hungry for more action can also sign up at
farmflix.tv for FarmFLiX’s weekly high-quality documentary-style content and global farming features. In 2026, new episodes filmed in the USA and New Zealand will be available, as well as access to an archive of over 400 previous programmes, for only £79 per year. Their YouTube channel, recently rebranded as
McClean & Co, also offers a wide range of free content to fans worldwide, including The Loft, featuring farming know-how and no-holds-barred insights into all aspects of farming life.
For further details on this year’s #OnThePull2026 event and to purchase tickets before February 1, please visit
onthepull.co.
