The 2026 League of Ireland First Division, known as the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division for sponsorship reasons, is the 42nd season of the League of Ireland First Division for men's football. The competition is scheduled to run from 13 February 2026 and until 16 October 2026.
Teams
Team changes The 2025 League of Ireland First Division, saw Dundalk promoted after one season in the First Division. They replaced Cork City who were relegated from the 2025 League of Ireland Premier Division after a single season in the Premier Division.
Stadia and locations Team Location Stadium Capacity Athlone Town Athlone Athlone Town Stadium 5,000 Bray Wanderers Bray Carlisle Grounds 4,000 Cobh Ramblers Cobh St. Colman's Park 3,000 Cork City Cork Munster FA Turner's Cross Stadium 7,485 Finn Harps Ballybofey Finn Park 6,000 Kerry Tralee Mounthawk Park 1,200 Longford Town Longford Bishopsgate 5,097 Treaty United Limerick Markets Field 5,000 UCD Dublin UCD Bowl 3,000 Wexford Crossabeg Ferrycarrig Park 2,500
Personnel and kits
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Team Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsorAthlone Town Seán O'Connor Brendan Clarke MacronBray Wanderers Paul Heffernan Jimmy Corcoran Capelli Sport OutdoorLiving.ieCobh Ramblers Fran Rockett Shane Griffin Uhlsport Caltech Electrical SuppliesCork City Barry Robson Sean MaguireRebel ArmyZeus PackagingFinn Harps Patrick McEleney (interim) Tony McNamee Joma KernansKerry Colin Healy Sean McGrath Macron Kerry AirportLongford Town Wayne Groves Dean George UmbroTreaty United Tommy Barrett Mark Walsh O'Neills Trade Electric GroupUCD William O'Connor Adam Wells O'Neills Maples GroupWexford Stephen Elliott Aaron Dobbs Macron Campion Insurance
Managerial Changes TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyPosition in tableIncoming managerDate of appointmentCobh Ramblers Richie Holland (interim)End of interim spell3 November 2025Pre-season Fran Rockett3 November 2025Cork City Gerard NashResigned23 December 2025 Barry Robson11 January 2026Athlone Town Ian RyanResigned6 July 20268th Conor Barry (interim)6 July 2026 Conor Barry (interim)End of interim spell14 July 20267th Seán O'Connor14 July 2026Finn Harps Kevin McHughChange of role26 July 202610th Patrick McEleney (interim)29 July 2026
League table
Results Teams play each other four times (twice at home and twice away).
Positions by round
Season statistics Top scorers
RankPlayerClubGoals1 Ruairí KeatingCork City182 Sean MaguireCork City163 Hans MpongoCork City144 Mikie RoweWexford135 Hugh SmithUCD116 Ben McCormackBray Wanderers10 Ciaran BehanUCD Cian CurtisTreaty United9 Cian MurphyKerry910 Ifunanyachi AcharaBray Wanderers8 Louis DignamUCD Tyreik SammyBray Wanderers Peter GroganAthlone Town Jake DoyleWexford Dylan McGladeCobh Ramblers
Hat-tricks Player For Against Result DateRef. Dylan McGladeCobh RamblersTreaty United4–0 (H)6 April 2026 Sean MaguireCork CityKerry4–2 (H) Ben McCormackBray WanderersCobh Ramblers5–1 (H)8 May 2026 Hans MpongoCork CityUCD3–1 (H) Ifunanyachi AcharaBray WanderersUCD6–0 (H)10 July 2026 Ruairí KeatingCork CityUCD5–1 (H)18 September 2026https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/arid-41913121.html
See also 2026 League of Ireland Premier Division 2026 League of Ireland Women's Premier Division 2026 FAI National League 2026 FAI Cup
References