The new Division kicks off this weekend around the country
The new Women’s Development League kicks off this weekend as part of the new LOI Academy season!
Endorsed by UEFA as part of their Women’s League Development Fund, this new league will allow the current 12 SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division clubs to enter an Under-23 team into a competitive league and they will be joined by nine clubs currently participating in the LOI Academy Development Programme.
These nine clubs will have the opportunity to create a senior team for the first time.
The nine clubs joining the Women’s Development League as senior teams are Bray Wanderers, CK United, Cobh Ramblers, Drogheda United, Dundalk, Finn Harps, Kerry, Longford Town, and St. Patrick’s Athletic and this new Development League will remain part of the LOI Academy Development Programme but will replace the current Women’s U19 League.
The Women’s Development League will help to strengthen the player pathway by providing more opportunities for players to compete at senior level and enable the players to continue to play at a national level beyond the age of 19.
The Women’s Development League is split into two groups with the fixtures here
As part of the format for the Women’s Development League, the following will apply:
- Each team will play against every other team, home and away
- Teams from each group will progress to the Development Knock-Out Stage
- The Development League Final will determine the overall winner of the League
- Promotion/Relegation to the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division will not be in place for the inaugural season but will be reviewed at a later date
- The nine new senior clubs will enter the expanded Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup from the First Round
- UEFA funding will support the implementation of the new Development League
With the introduction of the Women’s Development League, there will be three different tiers of League of Ireland Women’s football for the 2026 season: SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division, Women’s Development League and LOI Academy WU17 League.
Mayo, who were originally announced as part of the ten new Clubs, will not be participating in this edition and will review their place in the League at a later date.
