The EY Hockey League returns this Saturday, September 19, with 20 of Ireland’s leading club sides beginning an 18-round campaign across the Women’s and Men’s competitions.
Ten teams will compete in each league, with the leading six at the end of the regular season progressing to the EY Champions Trophy weekend.
Both the League winners and the Champions Trophy winners will also secure qualification for EuroHockey club competition, adding a European prize to what has become the established pinnacle of the domestic club game.
EY has been title sponsor of the Irish Hockey League since the creation of the EY Hockey League in 2016, and the partnership has since expanded into Division Two and, from 2023, into sponsorship of Ireland’s male and female national teams at underage and senior level.
That breadth gives EY a presence from the leading domestic clubs through to the international game and across both women’s and men’s hockey.
The structure and presentation of the EY Hockey League are also mirrored across the men’s and women’s competitions, with ten teams, the same number of rounds, and access to the same Champions Trophy and European qualification pathway.
Expanded Hockey Ireland TV
A major commercial development for the new season is the further expansion of Hockey Ireland TV.
More live and on-demand games will be available during 2026/27, beginning with the opening round this weekend.
The season pass has been maintained at €39.99, creating a direct-to-consumer product around the domestic game and giving Hockey Ireland an opportunity to build audiences beyond those who can attend matches.
For a sport where leading clubs are spread across the island, digital coverage is particularly important. It also creates additional inventory for Hockey Ireland, EY and other commercial partners through branding, content and increased visibility of the competition.
Richard Fahey, CEO of Hockey Ireland, said the expanded coverage would give more supporters the opportunity to follow their clubs while EY’s continued backing helped build the profile of both the women’s and men’s game.
Simon MacAllister, EY Ireland Partner and Co-Head of Geopolitical Strategy, said the growth in coverage was another sign of the League’s progress.
“It’s brilliant to see the league go from strength to strength, with newly promoted teams stepping up and even more games available to fans through Hockey Ireland TV this year.”
Champions Back for More
On the pitch, Lisnagarvey begin the Men’s competition attempting to defend both the EY Hockey League and EY Champions Trophy titles.
Their challengers include Banbridge, Monkstown, YMCA, Corinthian, Avoca, Pembroke Wanderers and Three Rock Rovers.
Cork Harlequins return to the top flight following promotion, while Portrane will compete at EY Hockey League level for the first time.
Loreto are chasing an impressive fourth successive Women’s League title.
Railway Union have been the dominant force in the season-ending competition, winning the last three EY Champions Trophies, and will be among the strongest contenders alongside Pegasus, Pembroke Wanderers, UCD, Queen’s University Belfast, Old Alex and Portadown.
Monkstown and Ards return to the top division following a one-season absence.
Sport for Business Perspective
EY and Hockey Ireland have built considerable value through the continuity of this competition.
The EY name has become closely associated with the League over the past decade, providing the sort of title-sponsorship recognition that becomes increasingly valuable the longer a partnership remains in place.
The relationship has also developed rather than simply renewed, extending from the domestic leagues into international hockey and giving EY a connection with the sport across different levels and both genders.
The next area of opportunity is audience.
Hockey Ireland TV gives the sport ownership of a growing part of its distribution and, crucially, the ability to build a closer direct relationship with supporters.
At €39.99 for a season pass, the immediate subscription revenue is useful, but potentially more important over time will be the audience data, content inventory and additional sponsorship opportunities that come from bringing more of the EY Hockey League onto screens.
Twenty clubs, two equally presented national competitions, European qualification and an expanding digital platform provide a strong foundation on which to continue building the commercial profile of Irish club hockey.
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Image Credit: Hockey Ireland
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