The League of Ireland Premier Division, founded in 1985, is the highest level of football in the Republic of Ireland.
League of Ireland Premier Division dates
The League of Ireland Premier Division runs throughout the summer, unlike English or Scottish football.
In 2026 the season is set to get underway on Friday 6th of February before coming to an end on Friday 30th of October.
League of Ireland Premier Division teams
After Cork City were relegated following a single season in the top flight the ten teams that make up the 2026 League of Ireland season are:
- Bohemians
- Derry City
- Drogheda United
- Dundalk
- Galway United
- Shamrock Rovers
- Shelbourne
- Sligo Rovers
- St Patrick's Athletic
- Waterford
League of Ireland Premier Division stadiums
Team | Stadium (Capacity) |
Bohemians | Dalymount Park (4,500) |
Derry City | Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium (3,700) |
Drogheda United | Sullivan & Lambe Park (2,600) |
Dundalk | Oriel Park (4,500) |
Galway United | Eamonn Deacy Park (5,000) |
Shamrock Rovers | Tallaght Stadium (10,500) |
Shelbourne | Tolka Park (5,723) |
Sligo Rovers | The Showgrounds (3,873) |
St Patrick's Athletic | Richmond Park (5,340) |
Waterford | The RSC (5,160) |
League of Ireland Premier Division history
The League of Ireland Premier Division, in it's current format, was founded in 1985, with the Republic of Ireland's traditional "big four" clubs being a part of the inaugural season. Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne, Bohemians and Dundalk were, at the time, viewed as the nation's elite.
As of the time of writing, the four clubs have won the title 31 times between them. Shamrock Rovers hold the crown as the league's most successful club, having lifted the trophy ten times.
Prior to that, the league was known as just the League of Ireland, due to there being no promotion or relegation between that and the B Division. This was introduced in the 1984/85 season, replacing the old format of electing clubs into the league.
Some of the notable players to feature in the League of Ireland include Seamus Coleman, George Best, Bobby Charlton and Dixie Dean. There was once a rumour that Brazilian icon Socrates turned out for UCD while studying medicine in Ireland, however it has since been dispelled.
