League of Ireland season gets an earlier start in 2026

The Premier Division season gets underway on February 6 with the First Division starting a week later

Shamrock Rovers will face league runners-up Derry City in the President's Cup on January 31. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

The League of Ireland Premier Division campaign in 2026 will start a week early, finally alleviating congestion issues raised by clubs.

Friday, February 6 marks the opening night of top-flight fixtures, with the First Division calendar kicking off a week later.

The 36-game series will conclude on October 30, spreading the matches over an extra week.

Before league proceedings get underway, the men’s President’s Cup, featuring double winners Shamrock Rovers and league runners-up Derry City, is set for Tallaght on Saturday, January 31 (5pm).

The domestic season concludes with the FAI Cup final at Lansdowne Road on Sunday, November 8.

The women’s President’s Cup is down for Sunday, March 8, pitting into battle double winners Athlone Town against Shelbourne, under the new management of Seán Russell.

Athlone’s defence starts the following weeks, with the season running from Saturday, March 14 to Saturday, October 24. Unlike the men’s equivalent, the Women’s FAI Cup showdown won’t be held after league commitments. Tallaght Stadium is again the venue for the Sunday, September 27 encounter.