The League of Ireland has announced a multi-year partnership with WYLDE that will see the Irish esports organisation become the official esports and gaming partner of the league.
WYLDE hit the headlines in 2022 when bringing Usain Bolt on as an investor and is also a partner with Virgin Media, the League’s principal broadcast partner.
The collaboration formally links domestic football with the ever-growing esports sector, creating structured pathways for Irish players to represent their clubs — and potentially their country — on the international stage.
Under the agreement, WYLDE will deliver Ireland’s national football esports competitions, including the ELOI (Esports League of Ireland). The competition, scheduled for March 2026, will feature Ireland’s top EA SPORTS FC players competing for the national title, with the winner progressing to represent Ireland in elite international tournaments such as the eChampions League and the Esports World Cup.
The EFAI Cup, due to take place later this year, will serve as a youth development platform for players aged 18 and under, aligning with both organisations’ focus on participation and talent progression.
Strategic Alignment Between Football and Gaming
The partnership reflects a broader strategic trend within sport, where traditional governing bodies and leagues are investing in gaming and esports to deepen fan engagement and diversify commercial opportunities.
Irish owned the Feenix Group is another enabling Ireland to punch above its weight in the gaming space, while Riot Games has an established global broadcast centre in Swords, County Dublin.
For the League of Ireland, the move opens a direct line to younger audiences who engage with football through gaming platforms as much as through live matches.
“The League of Ireland is delighted to announce WYLDE as our esports and gaming partner,” said Mark Scanlon, League of Ireland Director.
“This collaboration enables us to engage with a new generation of players and fans while strengthening the close connection between football and esports. WYLDE’s expertise and commitment to developing esports talent make them the perfect partner to grow this space.”
Founded in 2021, WYLDE has positioned itself at the forefront of Ireland’s esports ecosystem, with a strong emphasis on grassroots development. The organisation established Ireland’s first dedicated National Esports Centre, providing a purpose-built facility for training, competition and community engagement.
Steve Daly, CEO of WYLDE, described the agreement as a convergence of two defining cultural forces.
“This partnership unites two passions that define a generation — football and gaming,” Daly said. “Together with the League of Ireland, we’re building a national structure that allows any player, from any background, to turn their love of the game into opportunity and achievement.”
Building a National Pathway
The ELOI competition will form the centrepiece of the national structure, offering a clear progression route from grassroots participation to elite international representation.
The winner of the 2026 ELOI will carry both national colours and club identity into European and global competition — a model designed to mirror traditional football pathways while leveraging the scale and reach of esports.
From a business perspective, the agreement signals the League of Ireland’s intent to innovate within its commercial portfolio, adding a digital dimension that has the potential to unlock new sponsorship categories, broadcast opportunities and fan touchpoints.
It also reflects the growing recognition of esports as a legitimate high-performance environment requiring structured governance, competition frameworks and development infrastructure.
By aligning with WYLDE, the League of Ireland gains a specialist delivery partner with established expertise, while WYLDE benefits from association with a nationally recognised sporting brand.
Together, the two organisations are positioning Ireland to compete more consistently at the top tier of global football esports, while broadening participation at home.
The partnership represents a strategic step in integrating football and gaming communities nationwide — creating opportunity, visibility and a new platform for Irish talent to thrive in an increasingly digital sporting landscape.
Image Credit: Sport for Business
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