The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) will officially roll out its League Mark programme in 2027 following the completion of a pilot with 24 leagues from around the country.

Identified as a priority action in the FAI Football Pathways Plan, League Mark will create a governance and operating framework to support FAI affiliates and to formally accredit leagues. 

FAI Club Mark has successfully supported more than 1,000 clubs through the same process. An integrated accreditation system linking Club Mark and League Mark will help to raise standards and strengthen governance across Irish football.

Similar to Club Mark, a pilot programme was set up to engage with leagues and it was structured around five key areas: league structures, the promotion of football, player registration, maximising opportunities for participation, and the wider environment in which the league operates and develops.

The pilot programme focused on:

- Strategic Planning & League Structures
- Governance
- Safeguarding & Child Welfare
- Facilities & Grant Aid
- Social Environmental Sustainability
- Coach Development
- Women & Girls’ Football
- Referee Development
- Games Programme

The engagement with leagues through the pilot programme helped identify key areas that will inform the criteria for League Mark, ahead of its rollout in 2027.

League Mark will help to recognise, reward and support leagues to make Irish football stronger as a whole.