The success of the 2024 League of Ireland Premier Division continues to help grow Irish Football as a major broadcaster has now signed an exclusive deal to air top-flight fixtures.
The Premier Division has never been as competitive as it was during the 2024 campaign with Shelbourne snatching the league title on the final day thanks to a late winner against Derry City.
League of Ireland 2024 Campaign Lifts Irish Football to Mainstream Attention
There were many stories to follow during the last 12 months, from Shels winning the title under Damien Duff to Shamrock Rovers’ historic UEFA Conference League campaign and at the other end of the table, Drogheda United’s incredible rise from relegation favourites to FAI Cup champions.
Every fixture brought suspense to fans as there was little to separate any side in the top flight for much of the season.
This led to an unpredictable, thrilling and competitive Premier Division campaign that has ignited the interest in the League of Ireland.
Many interesting stories are emerging with the new season set to commence in February, including Derry City entering a new era under Tiernan Lynch and Cork City returning to the top flight after a dominant First Division display.
Fans nationwide will have greater access to the League of Ireland every week thanks to the major broadcasting announcement from Virgin Media Ireland.
Virgin Media Announce Four-Year Broadcast Deal
National broadcaster RTE has been known to cover League of Ireland football over the years and once had a weekly highlights show but rival Virgin Media has stolen a march on the other dominant player in the Irish market.
They have now secured an exclusive four-year deal to broadcast the top flight.
The deal ensures that one fixture from every round will be broadcast free to air on Irish television. This means there will be 36 live matches and Director of News Sport at Virgin Media Television Mick McCaffrey confirmed that the goals from every other game will be available.
Speaking after the official announcement of the deal, he said:
“We are delighted to be the exclusive broadcaster of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division for the next four years. Virgin Media Television is committed to the League and to delivering on the fans’ ask for more live matches. For the first time ever, supporters will have free to air coverage of the biggest and best game each Friday of the season along with the goals from every other game. We are excited to bring greater exposure to the league and play our part in increasing grassroots participation in communities throughout the country.
The broadcast deal ensures that fans will have two options to watch League of Ireland football in 2025 with Virgin Media joining LOI TV in showing live matches from the top-flight.