League of Ireland attendances up 20%

The renewed interest in Irish domestic football can be best reflected in the FAI Cup final between St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians when 43,881 fans attended the match, breaking a record previously set in 1945 in the process.

Eight of the 10 Premier Division clubs saw their average attendance rise this season, with only Dundalk and UCD seeing falls in attendance.

The big winners were Bohemians, who saw a massive 32% jump in attendance this season, with St Patrick’s Athletic (21%) Shelbourne (16%) and league winners Shamrock Rovers (14%) seeing healthy increases.

Dalymount Park is in line to finally receive a substantial stadium upgrade in the coming years, with Dublin City Council signing off on a planned expansion and refurbishment of the ground in October.

Under the plan, Dalymount Park will have a capacity of just over 8,000, and become a four-sided stadium.

Overall, 596.196 spectators took in a game of football in Ireland at a domestic level, smashing the record of 486,365 set in 2022.

44 games sold out across the League this season, with the FAI noting that stadiums like Dalymount Park and Richmond Park regularly reached capacity.

The women’s game in Ireland also marked a rise in attendance, buoyed the the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Four games attracted over 1,000 fans for the first time, with 1,464 in attendance for Shamrock Rovers league clash against league champions Peamount.

“Though we are pleased to see the demand continue to rise, it once more highlights the need we have for improved infrastructure and stadia across the League of Ireland in order for Clubs to continue to cater for demand,” said League of Ireland Director Mark Scanlon.

“With the highest attendances in the Men’s and Women’s Premier Divisions in Tallaght Stadium, it further emphasises that good stadia can help attract even more fans to the League of Ireland, which is experiencing unprecedented demand as shown by the Men’s FAI Cup Final this year.”