Virgin Media Television secures exclusive four-year League of Ireland broadcast deal

BIG DEAL: At Virgin Media Television Studios in Ballymount, Dublin, to announce a new four-year brodcast agreement between the League of Ireland and Virgin Media Television are, from left, League of Ireland Director Mark Scanlon, Virgin Media Television Director of News and Sport Mick McCaffrey, FAI Commercial Director Sean Kavanagh and Virgin Media Television Managing Director Áine Ní Chaoindealbháin. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile.

Virgin Media Television have announced a new four-year agreement with the League of Ireland which will see the channel become the sole and exclusive free to air broadcaster of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.

As part of the arrangement, Virgin Media will broadcast 36 matches with a live fixture for each round of the season. The 2024 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division ended in dramatic fashion with Damien Duff's Shelbourne securing a first title in 18 years and the hope is that the 2025 season will be just as entertaining, with more live coverage than ever before.

“We are delighted to be the exclusive broadcaster of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division for the next four years," said Virgin Media Television, Director of News and Sport, Mick McCaffrey.

"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.”

FAI Commercial Director, Sean Kavanagh, said: “We’re delighted to announce this landmark broadcast agreement for the League of Ireland with Virgin Media Television.

"Since our initial agreement in 2023, the partnership has grown along with the interest in the League and this new announcement will be able to help take the League of Ireland to another level.

"Having the consistency of live broadcasts for every round will be crucial in building the level of coverage needed for the League of Ireland and we are excited to continue working with the team at Virgin Media Television who have been brilliant partners since we have started working together.

"Along with recent partnership announcements for the League of Ireland, this new agreement shows the level of interest and excitement in the League are increasing year-on-year and we’re excited to see what we can achieve together.”

League of Ireland, Director, Mark Scanlon, added: “This agreement represents a historic moment for the League of Ireland as Virgin Media Television’s exclusive coverage of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division will see every round of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division covered for the first time.

"Consistency of coverage in order to follow the stories throughout the season is something that we have always wanted in the League of Ireland and we are delighted that this partnership will ensure that the League has a presence on free to air television all year round.

"We have been delighted to work with Virgin Media Television since they began their partnership with us in 2023 and their enthusiasm and excellent coverage has been extremely encouraging bringing new audiences to the League of Ireland.

"We look forward to the next stage of this partnership which will help propel the League to the next level.”

The first broadcast selections will be announced on Wednesday with the new season starting on the 14th of February.