Fans of the SSE Airtricity League will be asked to pay €59 to subscribe to see more than 60 games lives through the first half of the season.
You’d have to imagine that fans will see this as reasonable value given that it is the only way to see your own team in 14 games, and every other match is available too.
A decision on whether the service will continue in similar form through the second half of the season will be taken partly on the basis of the take up, though there will also be pressures on resource for RTÉ with the Euro 2020 Finals, Olympic and Paralympic Games and the GAA Championship season in full swing, hopefully, by then.
Revenues generated from the streaming pass will go to each of the clubs as a way of offsetting the loss of matchday revenue through not having fans allowed in the grounds.
The action is set to get underway this Friday, March 12 with the FAI President’s Cup Final between Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk, with kick-off at 7.45 pm.
The game will be shown live on WATCHLOI for free.
The 2021 SSE Airtricity Premier Division season gets underway on Friday, March 19 with newly-promoted Drogheda United set to host Waterford at 5.45 pm, live and exclusive on WATCHLOI, followed by Shamrock Rovers v St. Patrick’s Athletic at 7.45 pm.
“We’re delighted to be able to launch the WATCHLOI kick-off pass today ahead of the new season,” said League of Ireland Director Mark Scanlon.
“With over 60 matches set to be on the platform from the start of the season to the mid-season break, the kick-off pass represents excellent value for supporters to enjoy the action when it begins this week.”
“As the COVID-19 restrictions continue, the revenue it will generate for the clubs is a key source of income and means supporters can continue to support their League of Ireland club in these difficult times.”
Sport for Business will have a series of features on the return of the domestic game next week, including interviews with some of our leading clubs and a round up of all the commercial partnerships in place across the Premier and First Divisions as well as the Women’s National League.
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