The League of Ireland is a unique division; a cross-border competition featuring teams from the Republic of Ireland and Derry City, located in Northern Ireland. This is a fiercely competitive set-up as clubs across the island of 7 million people battle for supremacy. With the likes of the Bundesliga, La Liga, and, of course, the Premier League across the Irish Sea, grabbing the international headlines, the League of Ireland less grapples for attention, and rather builds on its own uniqueness to gain a following.
Growing on an annual basis, the League of Ireland is thriving, with soaring popularity both at home and overseas.
Record Attendances
The League of Ireland has always promised drama, but that entertainment value is now translating into hard numbers. The terraces are filling up, with 2025 seeing an 8% rise in attendances, bringing the total number of fans passing through the turnstiles to 683,208. Even more striking is the wider picture; across all competitions involving LOI clubs, over 1.1 million people attended matches in 2025.
It is not just at a domestic level that the league is finding a wider audience. With Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne competing in Champions League qualifiers, and regular Irish representation in the Conference League group stages, the coefficient is rising. This European exposure has brought a new level of scrutiny and interest to the domestic game.
This increased visibility has naturally led to higher engagement across the board. As the league becomes more competitive, with results becoming notoriously difficult to call, we are seeing increased activity in football betting markets from NetBet, where punters are trying to predict outcomes in a division that is shedding its reputation for predictability. The tight nature of the league means that for fans, both in the stands and watching from home, every fixture now feels like it carries significant weight.
Youth and Experience
The League of Ireland boasts a strong mix of exciting young talents and experienced older heads, which makes for some great team set-ups and clashes on the pitch. Players making their way through the ranks are afforded great opportunities when it comes to breaking into the first team and being given a chance to show what they can do. Individuals entering the evergreen stage of their career have the skill and nous to perform and help the youngsters to make the grade.
In January, Mason Melia made the switch from St Patrick’s Athletic to Tottenham, while Josh Honohan joined Lincoln City from Shamrock Rovers. While it’s a shame for the League of Ireland to lose such potential, it proves that the division boasts serious quality. The return of 36-year-old James McClean to Derry City from Championship Wrexham will also be a draw for supporters keen to see players who have performed on some of the biggest stages.
Great Access and Authentic Matchdays
One of the positives of League of Ireland football is that it is still very much true to its roots and boasts a strong connection to its communities. While Europe’s major leagues appear glamorous and are watched by billions of people around the world, this growth has formed a disconnect between some fans and the game in many respects.
However, people attending League of Ireland matches do so with great convenience and accessibility, as games are affordable and attended by locals. This creates a real connection, boosting loyalty and ensuring people will return for the thrill of matchday. While some competitions abroad may have lost their magic as commercialism takes them over, supporters of League of Ireland clubs can still enjoy an authentic matchday where they can meet the players before kick-off on the way into the stadium and be at pitch level for the action. This is also reflected in increased interest in non-League football across the Irish Sea in the English leagues.
Overall, the League of Ireland’s appeal comes at a time when fans are looking for true football experiences. The fact it isn’t expensive to watch and accessible for all means the division can reap the benefits in the coming years. Already, more than one million people have attended games across the nation, and, looking ahead, that growth can be sustained as the League of Ireland offers an authentic matchday that perhaps can’t be found elsewhere.