From Pitch to Profit: The League of Ireland’s Growing Economic Impact
It has been 18 years since Shelbourne F.C. last hoisted the League of Ireland (LOI) championship trophy, but that drought finally ended two weeks ago. A resilient Shels squad, led by former Irish winger Damien Duff, secured a 1-0 victory against Derry City F.C. and, in the process, claimed their 14th league title. The victory sparked celebrations across Drumcondra over the weekend, as fans reveled in the long-awaited success after spending much of the past decade relegated to the league’s First Division. While Shelbourne’s triumph in 2024 certainly captured the attention of the Irish Canadian Caucus, the organization has been particularly intrigued by the recent growth of the LOI and its significant impact on the Irish economy.
A recently published report from BDO unveiled the latest LOI figures for the 2023 season, revealing ballooning attendance, strong viewership, and increased spectator spending. Along with these high-level figures, BDO conducted an economic impact assessment, quantifying the league’s contribution to both the national and local economies.
In 2023, attendance for LOI games, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) Cup, and other domestic and European fixtures approached an impressive 1 million. Of that, LOI games composed the largest share, drawing 826,086 spectators across the three divisions (Men’s Premier, Men’s First, and Women’s Premier)—nearly double the 464,100 attendees in 2019 and 20% above last year’s 688,272. The Men’s Premier Division accounted for the bulk of those attendees (at 596,196), but attendance growth between 2019 and 2023 was highest in the Men’s First Division (159%) and Women’s Premier Division (169%). For context, during the same period, Major League Soccer (MLS) realized a 24% rise in total attendance, and the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) saw growth of approximately 70%. Although the LOI’s total attendance figures are much smaller than in North America—and therefore contextual differences must be considered—this comparison highlights the substantial growth the league has experienced of late.
For those who didn’t make the trip to Brandywell or Tolka Park, Irish national TV broadcasters played home to 43 games involving LOI teams in 2023 (more than double 2021’s total). Correspondingly, viewership also grew over 80% from 2021 to 2023, with total peak viewership rising from 1.71 million to 3.08 million. Fans wanting access to all fixtures (and for many of us living abroad who lack Irish channels), the league’s digital streaming platform, League of Ireland TV (LOITV), played home to over 500 matches. LOITV logged 107,000 registered users in 2023, with almost 50,000 making purchases (a 75% increase in revenue growth from 2021).
More eyes, both in person and virtually, on LOI games have translated to a greater economic impact on communities across the island. According to the BDO report, the league contributes over €164 million to Ireland’s economy. This includes €103 million in direct expenditure, derived from the operational income of the league and all clubs, capital investment into stadiums and training facilities, average spectator spend combined with attendance data, and broadcasting and media spend. The BDO estimated that the remaining €60.9 million was “generated through indirect and induced impacts” and, in total, the LOI’s economic activity has contributed an “estimated €40 million contributed to the Exchequer.”
On the employment front, the LOI supports 6,094 jobs, including 1,646 paid and voluntary roles directly tied to the league and its clubs. The remaining 4,448 full-time equivalent positions are supported through indirect impacts, which could include local pubs, club merchandise suppliers, or any other businesses with links to the league.
While these figures are impressive, what they fail to capture is the full value of the LOI’s social impact. Clubs across the league delivered an array of programs focused on “health and well-being (both physical and mental), social equality and inclusion, and education.” Initiatives include the Walking Football and Football Memories program targeting “older adults at risk of social isolation”, Show Racism the Red Card workshops, and refugee integration programs. Furthermore, half the league’s clubs have teams dedicated to those with Down Syndrome, and across the LOI, 132 football academy teams engage over 2,600 youth participants. While these programs’ economic value is challenging to quantify, BDO acknowledges how important these components are in assessing the league’s economic impact on Irish society.
To capitalize on this growth, further investment will be necessary in stadium and club facilities. As noted by BDO, the FAI’s Facility Investment Vision and Strategy published in 2023, recommended €390 million be spent across 15 years on “building an academy and training hub for every LOI club, transforming in-stadium fan experience and broadcast product, and fit-for purpose stands, structures, and amenities.” In 2023, total investment by the league fell slightly below this framework, reaching just over €10 million, with a significant portion of this figure originating from South Dublin City Council’s investment in Tallaght Stadium.
Looking ahead, increasing attendance, media attention, and economic contributions from the league will undoubtedly be a precursor to securing further investment. As noted throughout this article, the LOI’s value to Ireland extends well beyond the €164 million estimate, with BDO concluding “the league not only enhances the national economy but also enriches the social fabric of Irish communities, making it an indispensable asset to the country.”