TG4 WILL increase the number of Women’s National League games after agreeing a new TV deal with the FAI.
The Irish language broadcaster started showing WNL games in 2021, initially televising four games but gradually ramping up coverage.
In 2024, there was a 70% increase in viewership of games, up from 24,009 to 33,608 last season.
In 2025, TG4 will show 13 matches from the Airtricity Women‘s Premier Division, in addition with the All-Island Cup final
League of Ireland Director Mark Scanlon said: “It is fantastic to continue our partnership with TG4 to broadcast live games of the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division on national TV.
“A significant part of the League’s growth has been the increased visibility and TG4 have been key to that over the past four seasons with 38 games shown in total.
“Now that will be increased for the 2025 campaign and we are looking forward to seeing those games reach an even wider audience.”
TG4 Head of Sport Rónán Ó Coisdealbha added: “TG4 is looking forward to another season of the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division and we are very pleased to continue supporting women’s domestic football.
“Broadcasting women’s sport has been an integral part of TG4’s core values since we came on air in 1996 and we would like to thank the FAI for giving us the opportunity to showcase women’s football.”
The selection of the first set of live games in the 2025 season will be confirmed in due course.
The news of TG4’s new TV deal comes just a day after Virgin Media announced a landmark four-year deal for the Men’s Premier Division in 2025.
RTE had offered to increase its number of live games from 17 to 20.
But they were blown out of the water when their rivals – who had started showing some games in 2023 – pledged to show a match in each of the 36 rounds of the Premier Division.
A lack of consistency and regularity to coverage was a long-standing criticism of the national broadcaster.
The length of the Virgin deal also provides welcome certainty to the League.
The first games to be shown will be announced on Wednesday, ahead of the league kicking off on February 14.
Virgin Media Television, Director of News and Sport, Mick McCaffrey, said: “We are delighted to be the exclusive broadcaster of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division for the next four years.
“Virgin Media Television is committed to the League and to delivering on the fans’ ask for more live matches.
“For the first time ever, supporters will have free to air coverage of the biggest and best game each Friday of the season along with the goals from every other game.
“We are excited to bring greater exposure to the league and play our part in increasing grassroots participation in communities throughout the country.”
