2026 LOI Season Start Date

**legendz** · 29/11/2025, 6:52 PM

Originally Posted by nr637

The 2026 LOI Season is due to kick-off on Friday February 6th. That is the same weekend as the 6 Nations rugby.
France v Ireland is on Thursday 5th and the other games are on Saturday 7th, all on TV.

Should the start date for the league be changed!

When the league was starting in March a few years back after an excessively long off season, I would have agreed with bringing it forward a few weeks to February at least. A gap week in the 6N would have suited purely for media coverage in the lead up to the opening weekend.

The league has moved on from that, which is great. The league now needs to be plotting its own course. Early February kick off is great. Off season shortened by a month from the March start from years ago.

**Nah Nah Nah Nah** · 30/11/2025, 9:11 AM

Originally Posted by culloty82

It's become somewhat of a tradition for both Longford and Sligo to have home games on a Saturday, but does this make much difference to their gates compared with the rare occasions on which they have to play on a Friday?

In general I’d say 15-20% for us. Friday nights unfortunately are not rare.

**Neish** · 30/11/2025, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by culloty82

It's become somewhat of a tradition for both Longford and Sligo to have home games on a Saturday, but does this make much difference to their gates compared with the rare occasions on which they have to play on a Friday?

Harps tried Saturdays nights for one or two season, no significant increase in attendances was noticed. And I think players, staff & match day volunteers (most of who will be working mon-fri) prefer the Friday night games as they then have Saturday night free

**redobit** · 01/12/2025, 1:44 PM

Originally Posted by culloty82

It's become somewhat of a tradition for both Longford and Sligo to have home games on a Saturday, but does this make much difference to their gates compared with the rare occasions on which they have to play on a Friday?

Yes it makes a difference.
Each to their own ... didn't Dundalk play home games on a Thursady night at one stage.

**Calcio Jack** · 01/12/2025, 1:53 PM

President’s cup will take place Sat 31st Jan next in Tallaght

Rovers v Derry

**culloty82** · 01/12/2025, 1:55 PM

First Division starts a week after the Premier Division, on February 13th, while the Women's Premier begins on March 14th.

**culloty82** · 01/12/2025, 2:08 PM

September 27th is almost a month earlier than this year for the Women's FAI Cup Final?

**Martinho II** · 01/12/2025, 3:46 PM

Originally Posted by redobit

Yes it makes a difference.
Each to their own ... didn't Dundalk play home games on a Thursady night at one stage.

yeah early noughties for Dundalk think it was 2001/02 season.

**dundalkfc10** · 01/12/2025, 4:16 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

yeah early noughties for Dundalk think it was 2001/02 season.

IIRC we were told we wouldn't be allowed play on Thursday night anymore

I can remember me and my mates as teenagers going to Oriel on a school night with a few cans and be dying on a Friday much to the annoyance of teachers

**oriel** · 01/12/2025, 5:08 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

yeah early noughties for Dundalk think it was 2001/02 season.

Dundalk played a lof of games in 1994/95 league winning season on Thursday, also into 1996, not sure after that, I was never a fan, silly day in my view, made it so hard for those living in Dub / working for ex, who may come home for weekend.

Not sure how long it lasted but almost sure League told them to change to Fri on return to PD in 2009.

Friday's so much better. Sat prob suits away fans too for Sligo, make a weekend of it, surprised Galway don't do same.

**Mr A** · 01/12/2025, 5:24 PM

Don't like D1 starting a week later than the premier. There is a real buzz around opening weekend and starting later means half the clubs don't get to be fully part of that. Not a big deal obviously but just feel it would feel more natural to start them together.

**pineapple stu** · 01/12/2025, 6:04 PM

Any idea when fixtures are out?

**nigel-harps1954** · 01/12/2025, 6:16 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Any idea when fixtures are out?

17th December in 2025, and 15th December the two previous years. So presumably some time around the same, you'd expect.

**brendy_�ire** · 01/12/2025, 6:54 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

17th December in 2025, and 15th December the two previous years. So presumably some time around the same, you'd expect.

Yep, 16th this year.

**Nesta99** · 01/12/2025, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

Don't like D1 starting a week later than the premier. There is a real buzz around opening weekend and starting later means half the clubs don't get to be fully part of that. Not a big deal obviously but just feel it would feel more natural to start them together.

Couldnt it be made like a double buzz! One group gets going and the next weekend another bunch of promotion buzz.....Ko with derbies.

**holidaysong** · 02/12/2025, 8:33 AM

Originally Posted by oriel

Not sure how long it lasted but almost sure League told them to change to Fri on return to PD in 2009.

Correct, it's been back to Friday since 2009 after our 7 season stint in the first division.

**Longfordian** · 02/12/2025, 10:31 AM

UCD tried Thursdays at one stage as well didn't they?

**Mr A** · 02/12/2025, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by Nesta99

Couldnt it be made like a double buzz! One group gets going and the next weekend another bunch of promotion buzz.....Ko with derbies.

Cork and Cobh
Kerry and Treaty
Athlone and Longford
Bray and UCD

Leaves

Harps and Wexford

Sigh

**brendy_�ire** · 02/12/2025, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by Longfordian

UCD tried Thursdays at one stage as well didn't they?

So did Derry in the early 2000s.
I didn't mind them, but would rather have Friday nights.

**pineapple stu** · 02/12/2025, 5:29 PM

Originally Posted by Longfordian

UCD tried Thursdays at one stage as well didn't they?

Yep - abandoned mid-season as I recall

Also tried 5:15 - can't remember if Sat or Sun; just remember suggesting we play The Who on the tannoy for games