PFA Ireland is proud to confirm a series of significant improvements to player welfare and contract standards across men’s and women’s football, following extensive negotiations with the National League Committee, League of Ireland clubs, and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). These changes, effective from December 1, 2025, will apply to all new contracts registered for the 2026 season.

The updated agreements represent a significant step forward in professional standards, combining enhanced pay structures, stronger welfare protections, and operational reforms designed to improve fairness and integrity across the game.

Key Outcomes for Players

Minimum Salary Increases (Standard Players Contract)

• Full-time players:
  • Age 20+: €450 (up from €430)
  • Age 19: €400 (up from €380)
  • Age 18: €350 (up from €330)
  • Age 17/16: €300 (up from €280)
• Part-time players:
  • Clubs wishing to keep the existing part-time minimum wage must reduce training to a maximum of three sessions plus one match per week.
  • If clubs require four sessions plus a match, a higher minimum applies — starting at €160 weekly for players aged 20+.

In a significant change to the Women’s Participation Agreement, no retention regulations will apply in the Women’s Premier Division. This change allows for more freedom of movement of players and removes a significant barrier to players signing professional contracts in the Women’s Premier Division. It will be reviewed if FIFA introduce training compensation in the women’s game.

With a full-time Men's Premier Division confirmed for 2026, each club in that division will again be required to have a minimum of 14 professional players registered ahead of the start of the season, which will start a week earlier than 2025.

Additional Player Welfare Measures

• Fixture & Break Provisions: A guaranteed 14-day off-season blackout period is now mandatory.
• Medical & Welfare Protections: Clubs must pay medical providers directly for player treatment, ensuring players bear no financial responsibility.
• Extended Compassionate Leave: Compassionate leave for bereavement, has been increased to five days when travel abroad is required.

Statement from PFA Ireland

“This agreement is a positive move for Irish professional football,” said Stephen McGuinness, General Secretary of PFA Ireland. “We’ve secured meaningful improvements in pay, welfare, and working conditions for players across both men’s and women’s leagues. The introduction of training limits for part-time players and the removal of retention rules in the women’s game are critical steps toward fairness and professionalism.”

“Next season, we will continue our discussions with clubs and the league to push for improvements around insurance for career-ending injuries and the introduction of academy contracts, amongst many other outstanding issues that affect players.”