League of Ireland new streaming services!

League of Ireland fans will be depending on WatchLOI and LOITV for their LOI streaming needs throughout this season.

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As you all well know, fans are still not allowed attend games live in person so the FAI have organised two streaming platforms to be utilised. WatchLOI will be used to stream the Premier Division games costing fans 59Euro for access to over 60 matches during the first half of the season. Early birds could get their hands on the passes for 55Euro before the season began. The games on offer will be a mixture of FAI Cup and Premier Division games. We think it's a great idea, however, quality could be improved especially as it costs a fee. No replays and controversial commentating are just two issues that we have noticed. WatchLOI was introduced finally when the FAI Cup Final was streamed for everyone free of charge and opinions were mixed. Although it comes with a pricey fee, much of it will be going to the clubs and will prove highly beneficial to the upkeep of domestic football.

LOITV is the equivalent streaming service which covers matches from the First Division and the Women's National League. 79Euro is the price to pay for the season pass which gives subscribers access to 135 games and again much of the fee will be going to the clubs. In a bid to promote the women's game, the service offer 108 games from the WNL to fans free of charge. This is a great idea to push interest in women's domestic football, increase youth participation and increase attendances when fans are allowed back into venues. The announcement of the service came with some controversy as LOI fan channel 'LOITV' were left furious after the news came that the streaming service would have the same name as them.

We at Pitchside Guide feel these new streaming services are a positive step for the FAI for increasing investment into the League of Ireland. More work has to be done though and after recent results of the national team, it is crucial player pathways become clearer in the League of Ireland to allow development into the national squad.