The FAI has signed a new three-year national radio partnership with Off The Ball, granting the broadcaster exclusive live commentary rights for all Republic of Ireland senior international matches.
The agreement covers both the Men’s and Women’s National Teams and will begin this week with live coverage on the station of the FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final between Heimir Hallgrímsson’s Ireland side and Czechia in Prague on Thursday, March 26th.
RTÉ will also be broadcasting live from the stadium with John Kenny and Kenny Cunningham on the microphone but it is unclear whether this dual approach, given RTÉ’s central rights, will continue
With the Men’s team targeting a return to the World Cup this summer, the Women’s side aiming for consecutive World Cup qualifications in 2027, and Ireland set to co-host UEFA EURO 2028, interest in the national teams is expected to intensify in the coming years.
This latest agreement further strengthens Off The Ball’s football portfolio. It follows an existing partnership covering the League of Ireland, which includes exclusive national radio rights for live Friday night matches on Newstalk, as well as coverage of the FAI Cup semi-finals and final over the same three-season period.
Beyond live commentary, the broadcaster’s League of Ireland output includes a weekly podcast, LOI Late Night discussions on X Spaces, and regular pre- and post-match analysis across its daily programming.
Off The Ball Managing Director Ger Gilroy said the agreement reflects the enduring appeal of the national team. “Nothing moves the needle like the Irish football team,” he said, adding that the expanded coverage across both international and domestic competitions would establish the platform as a central destination for supporters.
“We’re providing an unprecedented level of access, with live match commentary, pre- and post-match analysis, and a mix of new and established podcasts across the Men’s and Women’s National Teams,” he said. “This deal is a huge win for Irish audiences and the community of fans who’ve always supported the game here.”
FAI Head of Sales and Partnerships Conor Cullen described the agreement as timely given the trajectory of Irish football. He said the organisation was “thrilled to further strengthen” its relationship with Newstalk and Off The Ball.
“This is a hugely exciting period for Irish football,” he said, noting that the partnership would help the association reach a wider audience following both senior international teams. “We look forward to working closely together over the next three seasons.”
The deal ensures that Irish supporters will have continued free-to-air national radio access to live international football coverage, alongside expanded analysis and digital content, as the national teams navigate a crucial cycle of qualification campaigns and major tournament opportunities.
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Image Credit: FAI
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