The League of Ireland will introduce a series of major changes to player contracts and welfare provisions from the start of the 2026 season, following a new agreement reached between the FAI, the PFAI and clubs across the divisions.
The reforms mark one of the most substantial updates to player conditions in recent years and are viewed as a key step toward strengthening professionalism within the men’s and women’s leagues.
Under the new terms, minimum wages for professional players will rise across all age brackets.
Senior full-time players aged 20 and over will see their weekly minimum increase to €450, with structured increases also applied for younger professionals.
The revised wage floor is intended to better reflect the demands of the modern professional game and offer more evident progression for developing players moving into the first-team environment.
Part-time players will also see changes in how their commitments are structured. Clubs operating on a part-time model will be required to limit players to three training sessions and one match per week when paying the part-time minimum wage.
Any additional training beyond that threshold must be compensated separately, bringing clarity and fairness to a system that has long varied from club to club.
Player welfare has been placed at the centre of the new agreement.
From 2026, clubs will assume full responsibility for covering the cost of medical treatment for injuries, ensuring that no player is left with personal medical bills arising from football-related issues.
A mandatory 14-day off-season rest period will also be introduced, allowing players time to recover physically and mentally before returning to pre-season preparations.
Compassionate leave provisions have been strengthened, too, with players now entitled to extended leave in the event of bereavement requiring travel abroad.
In the women’s game, the most significant development is the removal of retention and compensation rules for the Premier Division.
The change gives players greater freedom of movement between clubs and aligns the league more closely with international standards. The measure is designed to support career development and encourage competitive balance within the growing women’s domestic structure.
FAI leadership and the PFAI have welcomed the agreement as a meaningful advancement for the sport, noting that the improvements will raise standards on and off the pitch while giving players clearer protections and better working conditions.
Further discussions are expected in the coming year on additional issues, including enhanced insurance cover for serious injuries and the development of a standardised academy contract system.
The new terms will come into effect ahead of the 2026 season.
Image Credits: SSE Airtricity League of Ireland
Further Reading for Sport for Business members:
Read our Sport for Business Coverage of Football
SPORT FOR BUSINESS Upcoming Events
December 9th – Our 12th Annual Women in Sport Conference in partnership with Lidl.
January 2026 – The Sporting Year Ahead 2026 in partnership with Teneo – Launching Soon
Sport for Business Podcasts
MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT,
The FAI, League of Ireland and SSE Airtricity, together with over 40 National Governing Bodies of Sport in Ireland, as well as all the leading sporting and business organisations in and around the world of sport, are among the 300+ members of the Sport for Business community.
This includes all of the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies, individuals interested in our world, and an increasing number from beyond these shores taking a keen interest in Ireland.
Find out more about becoming a member today.
Or sign up for our twice-daily bulletins to get a flavour of the material we cover.
Sign up for our News Bulletins here.
