Strategy
Our Pillars
Football should be simple. But too often in Ireland, it is not.
A lack of quality, inclusive, community facilities limits participation and blocks access to the game. Too many matches are cancelled, too many fans are left frustrated, and too much time is spent without football. We must make fit-for-purpose facilities the standard, not the exception.
From Grassroots to the League of Ireland and our national centres, we must unlock funding, deliver new projects, and raise standards to create environments where football can truly thrive.
€112m of €863m 15-year infrastructure investment target raised
€112m
Percentage of clubs without a female toilet
62%
Only one LOI stadium fit to host UEFA Club Competition League phase matches
1
The Facilities Investment Vision and Strategy revealed an €863m challenge spanning grassroots, the League of Ireland, and international football. Progress has begun with strong government support, but there is more to do. The Global Ireland Football Foundation will help fund grassroots projects, ensuring football plays its part in closing the gap. Growth in the League of Ireland is limited by stadiums that do not meet modern standards for supporters or broadcast. We must advocate for greater investment, collaborate on local projects, and equip clubs and communities to plan and build for the future.
Facilities that drive participation at every level
How we'll get there:
- Expand supports to grassroots clubs to develop inclusive and accessible facilities.
- Deliver targeted schemes via club mark.
- Establish multi-sport partnerships with other NGBs.
| How we'll measure success | Progress |
|---|---|
| +15% funding in each round of Community Sports Facilities Fund. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| Secure 30% of allocated Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Funding. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| +80 artificial pitches. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| +200 clubs with female toilets. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| +150 clubs with safe, private and inclusive shower and changing facilities. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| +200 of clubs with accessible toilets. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
How we'll get there:
- Support clubs to create stadium and training ground Development Plans.
- Support clubs to secure funding for development plans.
- Implement FAI Infrastructure Guidelines through Club Licensing.
- Ensure all stadiums are equipped to cater for all supporters, home and away.
| How we'll measure success | Progress |
|---|---|
| All clubs with dedicated fit-for-purpose training base. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| All clubs to upgrade playing surface. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| Min. 5 UEFA Category 3 and 15 UEFA Category 2 Stadiums. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
How we'll get there:
- Deliver a phased roadmap for the National Training Centre.
- Ensure lifecycle investment is in place for the Aviva Stadium.
| How we'll measure success | Progress |
|---|---|
| Secure €6m of funding for phase 1 of National Training Centre. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
For many years, Irish football punched above its weight. But as the game around us evolved, we must now work together to keep pace and push forward. Across the country, our football community does incredible work developing players.
To build on this, we need a more unified approach: one that ensures every player, wherever they are, has consistent access to quality football, positive experiences, and real opportunity. The Football Pathways Plan sets out our vision for the whole game. The structures are now in place; the next step is to build the capacity of our clubs and leagues to drive progress.
Whether a player advances to a League of Ireland Academy, wears the green shirt, or continues to enjoy the grassroots game, we all share the responsibility to drive development. Change will not be easy, and results will not come overnight. But by acting together, raising standards, supporting our people, and believing in what's possible, we can unlock the full potential of Irish football.
Overall participation rate is 14th out of 55 UEFA nations.
14th
Percentage of clubs with Club Mark One-Star accreditation
8%
Contact time for youth international teams significantly below most UEFA nations.
Improving standards and experiences for all
How we'll get there:
- Implement new game formats & games programme to increase age-and-stage appropriate playing opportunities.
- Develop a Disability Footballaction plan.
- Deliver a EURO 2028 legacy for players, coaches, and volunteers.
- Deliver the Women & Girls' Action plans.
| How we'll measure success | Progress |
|---|---|
| 70% of leagues delivering 25+ flexible format games per team per se |
To Action This is yet to action. |
| +25% increase in number of Disability Football players. |
To Action This is yet to action. |
| 100 Clubs providing opportunities to play Disability Football. |
To Action This is yet to action. |
| +30% registered Women & Girls' players. |
To Action This is yet to action. |
How we'll get there:
- Expand the Club Mark rollout and formally launch the League Mark.
- Develop and embed the Head of Football role across the club system.
- Introduce a volunteer reward & recognition programme.
| How we'll measure success | Progress |
|---|---|
| All leagues accredited with League Mark Entry Level. |
To Action This yet to be actioned. |
| Club Mark accreditations: 100% Entry Level, 20% One Star, 10% Two Star, 1% in Three Star Pilot. |
To Action This yet to be actioned. |
| 250 FAI accredited Heads of Football. |
To Action This yet to be actioned. |
| +20% registered volunteers. |
To Action This yet to be actioned. |
How we'll get there:
- Create a clear player pathway with defined transition points.
- Improve coach development and retention.
- Establish a structured referee development pathway.
- Use National League and the Women's Development League to test and shape future pyramid development.
| How we'll measure success | Progress |
|---|---|
| +10 leagues providing complete underage pathway from U8 to U16 for boys and girls. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| +50% new referee registrations. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| Coaching Retention +5%. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| Increase proportion of female-to-male qualified coaches to 10%. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| National League operating with 15-20 clubs between 2026-2029. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
How we'll get there:
- Embed football across all levels of the education system through the Education and Development Strategy.
- Embed education within League of Ireland Academies through club-based Transition Year programmes.
| How we'll measure success | Progress |
|---|---|
| 500 teachers to complete Extra Personal Vacation Days (EPV) training with the FAI. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| 8 TY Football programmes annually linked to LOI Academies by 2029. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
How we'll get there:
- Implement The Green Line Technical Plan as a shared playing and coaching identity across all international teams.
- Provide consistent, high-quality development environments for high-potential players.
| How we'll measure success | Progress |
|---|---|
| The Green Line Technical Plan embedded across all international teams and aligned coach development programmes. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| 10-day average increase of contact time provided to underage International teams. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
How we'll get there:
- Deliver high-performance environments for all international teams.
- Apply high-performance benchmarks across LOI Academies.
- Add data & analytics capability to support evidence-based decision making across national teams.
- Embed a Performance Support and Talent ID function across the international pathway.
- Align the international women's pathway with UEFA best practice.
| How we'll measure success | Progress |
|---|---|
| Top 20 UEFA ranking for MNT. Top 15 UEFA ranking for WNT. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| Baseline performance data established for all LOI Academy players. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| Qualification for a third of UEFA underage tournaments entered. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| +3 average ranking for our International Disability teams. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
The League has captured the nation's attention. Now, we must build on that momentum. With the right investment, we can build a self-sustaining football industry that drives long-term success.
The League will be the engine of our men's and women's national teams and a cornerstone of Irish football's future.
As the League matures, we must identify the model that allows it to thrive, turning progress into lasting achievement and building the competition our fans deserve.
Average of just 3.5 full-time staff at League of Ireland clubs.
3.5
Annual economic impact
€164.7m
MU17 FIFA World Cup 2025 squad players developed through the LOI academy system
16/21
Total LOI club attendances in 2025
1.1m
The League is growing fast: record attendances, stronger broadcast coverage, and success in Europe. Yet limited staffing, outdated facilities, and constrained finances are limiting the pace and potential of that growth.
Our young players are gaining vital experience, and the government's commitment to academy investment marks an important step forward. Our clubs remain at the heart of their communities, representing something bigger than football.
League of Ireland
How we'll get there:
- Improve club sustainability via Club Licensing.
- Upskill club staff and volunteers via training and education.
- Develop and professionalise SES Network.
- Provide pathways and development opportunities for Elite Panel Match Officials.
- Review League governance and competition formats and commission an independent assessment of options.
| How we'll measure success | Progress |
|---|---|
| LOI economic impact of >€300m |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| Average of 15 full-time employees per club. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| All clubs with full-time SES Managers and SES strategies. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| +10% UEFA club match appointments for LOI match officials. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| Future roadmap agreed by clubs, National League Committee and FAI Board. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
How we'll get there:
- Grow commercial revenues within the League of Ireland.
- Upgrade club facilities to enhance broadcast and performance analysis capabilities.
- Review, refine and grow the League of Ireland brand.
- Develop a Marketing and Communications plan for the Women's League of Ireland
| How we'll measure success | Progress |
|---|---|
| Double Men and Women's LOI Broadcast numbers. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| Double League sponsorship revenue. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| Average monthly social engagement rate of 2.5%. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
How we'll get there:
- Develop and professionalise Supporter Liaison Officer and Disability Access Officer Networks.
- Engage quarterly with SLOs, DAOs and the LOI Supporters' Committee.
- Develop initiatives to encourage the next generation of fans.
- Develop initiatives to grow the Women's League of Ireland.
| How we'll measure success | Progress |
|---|---|
| ctive Supporter Liaison Officer and Disability Access Officer in place for 75% of home matches. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| Improved supporter matchday experience via Net Promoter Score. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
| +50% attendance for Women's Premier Division. |
To Action This is yet to be actioned. |
