The League of Ireland has experienced a rise in profile in recent years. An array of young talent is shining in the Irish Premier Division, helping to boost the nation’s soccer profile. However, where can you watch League of Ireland games, and when are they typically broadcast?
League of Ireland Growing Popularity
Some of the best Irish strikers, such as Evan Ferguson, were plucked from the division by Premier League clubs. Several national team stars like Andrew Moran, Jake O’Brien and John Patrick all turn out for teams in Europe’s top five leagues. The increasing pool of talent has led to an increase in attendance, and the Irish game has never looked so exciting.
OTD 2019.
Evan Ferguson makes his @bfcdublin debut against Chelsea at Dalymount Park. pic.twitter.com/UjlHAF3uQl
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) July 11, 2024
That has also led to an increase in at-home viewership. 2024 saw a huge 42% boost in TV audiences for the Irish Premier Division, with 4.2 million viewers watching League of Ireland games. Improvements to streaming services and an increase in the number of games shown have helped new fans get into the game.
Where Can I Watch League of Ireland Fixtures?
In 2025, the options for watching League of Ireland matches are more accessible than ever. You can now find options for traditional TV coverage and online streaming. With better production values and wider broadcasting deals, fans at home and abroad can now follow their clubs week in, week out. Below, we’ll break down the best ways to catch all the action this season.
LOITV
The best way to watch Irish Premier Division matches is through their LOITV streaming service. Since late 2024, LOITV has undergone a major upgrade through a partnership with Premier Sports, reaching a wider range of platforms. This includes Android TV, LG, Fire TV, Sony, and Hisense smart TVs, as well as apps for iOS and Android mobiles and tablets. You can also watch coverage on desktop browsers, Chromecast, and AirPlay.
This revamp also introduced flexible pricing ahead of the 2025 season. A Season Pass costs €99, a 12-month contract monthly plan is priced at €9.99, a flexible month-to-month plan is worth €12.99, and a 24-hour pass is available for €9.99. Fans praised the improved value, production upgrades, and accessibility across devices.
The enhanced LOITV now streams every fixture across the League of Ireland’s three divisions. It also carries the Sports Direct Men’s and Women’s FAI Cups, President’s Cups and the Women’s All-Island Cup. All matches are available live and on demand, often featuring multi-camera coverage.
Virgin Media TV
In a landmark agreement announced on 27 January 2025, Virgin Media Television secured exclusive free-to-air broadcast rights for the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division. This marked the first time that every round of the league would be televised live on Irish television.
Under this four-year deal, Virgin Media will air 36 live matches per season. They will feature one live fixture each round. Overall, Virgin Media’s four-year, exclusive free-to-air deal delivers the most consistent and widespread television coverage of the League of Ireland’s Men’s Premier Division.
RTE TV
While RTE lost the LOI rights to Virgin Media, they have agreed a landmark two-year broadcast partnership with the Football Association of Ireland for FAI Cup games. The arrangement will see a total of 13 games broadcast live across 2025 and 2026, marking a major step up in free-to-air coverage of the Cup.
In 2025, RTE 2 and RTE Player will show six matches, starting from the Third Round. Coverage then continues through two Quarter-Finals, both Semi-Finals, and the Final at Aviva Stadium on November 9th. The following year, 2026, coverage will expand to seven live games, beginning from the Second Round and running all the way to the Final.
Where To Watch LOI Highlights
FAI TV, the official YouTube account of the Football Association of Ireland, uploads weekly highlights of all the action from around the country. This includes the men’s and women’s Premier Division and FAI Cup games, and the men’s First Division. Fans can catch match highlights, goals, and key moments shortly after games conclude, making FAI TV the most convenient way to stay up to date.
The channel also features player interviews, press conferences, behind-the-scenes content, and match previews, giving supporters more than just the action on the pitch. Best of all, it’s completely free to watch. FAI TV is an accessible option for both die-hard followers and new fans to follow the league.
How Can I Watch LOI Matches?
The League of Ireland has never been more accessible to fans at home and abroad, with rising attendances and major growth in TV audiences driving improved broadcast deals. After a 42% boost in viewership in 2024, supporters now have more ways than ever to follow their clubs in 2025, whether through streaming platforms or free-to-air television. You can watch the action through any or all of the following options.
- LOITV (Streaming Service)
- Virgin Media TV (TV Channel)
- RTE TV (TV and Streaming)
LOITV remains the go-to option for comprehensive coverage, streaming every game across the League’s three divisions as well as domestic cup competitions. Its 2024 revamp, in partnership with Premier Sports, brought expanded device access, flexible subscription packages, and higher production values. It is now the number one option for soccer fans based in Ireland, if they don’t mind forking out €99 a year for the privilege.
