The 2026 SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division will begin a week earlier than previously in a bid to ease fixture congestion later in the campaign, while Derry City have been confirmed as Shamrock Rovers’ opponents in the President’s Cup.
The Men’s Premier Division will begin on Friday, 6 February, while the Women’s Premier Division will start on Saturday, 14 March. The men's season began in mid-February in previous seasons.
The First Division commences on Friday, 13 February.
Fixtures for the new season will be released on Tuesday, 16 December.
The 2026 Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup final will take place at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, 8 November, with the Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup decider being held at Tallaght Stadium on Sunday, 27 September.
Meanwhile, the Candystripes will face in the Hoops in the curtain-raiser for the new season.
The President’s Cup clash will be on Saturday, 31 January, with a 5pm kick-off at Tallaght Stadium.
The match is traditionally between the league and FAI Cup winners. Last year’s runners-up in the Premier Division Derry have been handed the spot due to the Hoops winning both trophies in 2025.
