TikTok Shop Launches Live Shopping at National Ploughing Championships

TikTok Shop is set to make its inaugural appearance at the National Ploughing Championships, bringing live shopping to Ireland’s largest agricultural event for the first time. The event, taking place from September 16 to 18, 2025, in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly, is poised to offer a digital shopping experience that aligns with the festival’s showcase of rural culture and innovation.

Digital Shopping Experience at a Major Event

With just a week to go until the start of Europe’s biggest outdoor gathering, anticipation is building for what promises to be a vibrant celebration of country life. The three-day festival will feature a diverse array of attractions, from prize-winning livestock to local artisans, musicians, and food producers. Anna May McHugh, Managing Director of the National Ploughing Championships, remarked, “Preparations are in full swing as this green field transforms into the bustling hub of the National Ploughing Championships. Just weeks ago, it was open countryside; now it’s set to welcome hundreds of thousands.”

The introduction of TikTok Shop during this busy event comes as sales through the platform in Ireland have surged by over triple digits in just six months. This trend underscores TikTok’s potential to significantly boost local businesses.

Engaging Live Shopping Sessions

At Tigh TikTok, the dedicated TikTok House at the Championships, top Irish TikTok Shops, including several Guaranteed Irish brands, will host live shopping sessions throughout the event. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with these sessions in real-time, while app users across the country can also participate virtually. This format allows businesses to showcase their products directly to consumers, enhancing the shopping experience.

Two prominent figures in the Irish agricultural community, Fin Walsh, a 25-year-old dairy farmer from Limerick with over 150,000 followers, and Katie Larkin, known as The Abbey Cowgirl from Galway, will lead live shopping sessions. Traditionally known for sharing farming tips and cattle videos, they will pivot to a digital shopping platform, helping local brands connect with audiences in innovative ways.

Tigh TikTok will also feature interactive activities focused on digital safety, including a quiz designed to educate participants about online security. Katey McElroy, account lead for TikTok Shop Ireland, emphasized the impact of live shopping, stating, “Our LIVE showcase at this year’s Ploughing is an opportunity to see how some of the top businesses on the platform are bringing their products to life and connecting with new customers.”

Since its launch in Ireland in late 2024, the number of sellers on TikTok Shop has more than doubled, with many experiencing significant growth through live sessions. Between March and June 2025, the frequency of daily live sessions increased by nearly 90%, illustrating how Irish brands are leveraging real-time commerce to expand their market reach.

As the National Ploughing Championships approaches, TikTok’s integration into this traditional event signals a merging of modern commerce with rural heritage, creating a unique opportunity for community engagement and economic growth.

Tigh TikTok will be located at Block 5, Row 30, Stand 551 during the event, inviting attendees to explore this innovative shopping experience.