Virgin Media, a leading commercial free-to-air Irish broadcaster, has recently signed an exclusive four-year broadcast agreement with the Republic of Ireland’s top-tier League of Ireland soccer league. This landmark deal will see Virgin Media become the sole and exclusive free-to-air broadcaster for the competition.
Under this new agreement, Virgin Media will broadcast 36 Ireland Premier Division matches live each season. This includes airing a live fixture from each round of the season - a first in the history of broadcasting for this league. The move is set to revolutionize how fans engage with their favorite teams and players throughout the season.
Mick McCaffrey, Virgin Media Television director of news and sport, expressed his excitement about this new venture. However, he did not provide specific details about how they plan to execute these broadcasts or what additional features fans can expect.
Virgin Media Television director of news and sport, Mick McCaffrey said:
“We are delighted to be the exclusive broadcaster for the next four years. Virgin Media Television is committed to the league and to delivering on the fans’ ask for more live matches.
“For the first time, 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.”
Looking back at previous seasons
The recent 2024 edition saw Shelbourne secure their first title in 18 years - a significant milestone that was celebrated by fans across Ireland. With such exciting developments on-field and now off-field as well with this new broadcasting deal, anticipation is high for what future seasons hold.
The upcoming season is set to start on February 14th. With Virgin's comprehensive coverage plans now in place, sports fans across Ireland are eagerly awaiting kick-off day when they can tune into live action from every round.
This partnership between Virgin Media and League Of Ireland is a significant step forward in sports broadcasting. It not only offers fans more access to live games but also sets a new standard for future broadcast agreements. As the anticipation builds for the upcoming season, it's clear that this deal has already begun to reshape the landscape of Irish soccer broadcasting.
