While promotion and relegation doesn't run through the Republic of Ireland football pyramid as is the case in England, it's set to introduce a system in 2026 that could open up new pathways for third tier sides.
We look into the structure of the Republic of Ireland football pyramid, how it works, who can compete in which cups and more.
Structure of the Republic of Ireland football pyramid
At present, the Republic of Ireland football pyramid consists of 14 different tiers, with the League of Ireland Premier Division and League of Ireland First Division making up the top two levels.
While the third tier of Republic of Ireland currently has no route into the top two divisions, a change to the structure will be introduced in 2026 will means one third tier side can gain promotion to the League of Ireland First Division
The top three tiers from 2026 are as follows:
Tier 1
League of Ireland Premier Division
Tier 2
League of Ireland First Division
Tier 3
League of Ireland Second Division North
League of Ireland Second Division South
Tier 4-6
Provincial level
Tier 7
District level
Promotion and relegation rules
A promotion and relegation system has existed between the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland First Division - the top two tiers - since the 1985/86 campaign.
Promotion and relegation systems also operate within the separate provincial and district league systems, but there has never been a pathway for them clubs to earn a spot in the top two tiers.
Despite that, teams have previously been invited to join the League of Ireland, with Cabinteely of the Leinster Senior League being the most recent team to accept the invitation.
In 2024, the Football Association of Ireland announced that a third league will be introduced in 2026, as demonstrated in the Irish football pyramid above.
20 teams will be split into North and South divisions, in which the top teams from North and South will compete in the play-offs for a chance to be promoted to the League of Ireland First Division.
Cup eligibility
FAI Cup
The FAI Cup is is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from level 1-3 in the Republic of Ireland football pyramid. With that said, lower league sides are eligible to enter should they advance to certain stages in the FAI Intermediate Cup or FAI Junior Cup.
Drogheda United are the most recent winners of the competition, defeating Derry City 2-0 in the final, which has been held at the Aviva Stadium since 2010.
League of Ireland Cup
Referred to in Ireland as the 'League Cup', the League of Ireland Cup is an annual competition that takes place between teams in the League of Ireland (top two tiers), and any clubs that may be invited from lower levels.
FAI Intermediate Cup
The FAI Intermediate Cup is a cup competition organised by the Football Association of Ireland for intermediate association clubs from the Republic of Ireland, where teams from tier 3-7 are eligible to compete.
It acts as a qualifier for the more prestigious FAI Cup, with all fourth round sides in the FAI Intermediate Cup entering the first round of the competition.
FAI Junior Cup
As is the case with the FAI Intermediate Cup, the FAI Junior Cup serves as a qualifier for the senior FAI Cup, with the eight quarter-finalists all invited to take part in the FAI Cup.
The competition takes place between teams from levels 7-12.
