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Footballer Taking a Shot

The 2026 League of Ireland is on the horizon and the 10 teams have just over a week to prepare for the opening round of fixtures.

Shamrock Rovers will be looking to defend their crown and win a 23rd league title, while Dundalk have replaced Cork City in the top-flight.

Stephen Bradley's team beat Derry City to the title by three points last year, while Shelbourne finished third, five points ahead of fourth-placed Bohemians.

There has been plenty of transfer activity as teams try to mount a title charge and we take a look at the likely contenders for the crown in 2026.

2026 League Of Ireland Tips

Hoops to dominate once again

Shamrock Rovers have won the League of Ireland title five times in six seasons and there is little sign of that run of success ending this season.

Bradley has lost left-back Josh Honohan over the winter, with the 24-year-old moving to Lincoln City. While that is a blow, the Hoops have added former Aston Villa, Portsmouth, Sheffield United and Stoke City defender Enda Stevens to their squad for his second spell at Tallaght Stadium.

Shamrock won the double last season and they endured a poor end to the league campaign, which made the title race closer than it was.

Shamrock lost four of their last five games in the league as they switched their priorities to the FAI Cup and Europa Conference League.

Bradley's troops were effectively champions last season with a month to go, and their experience at this level and squad depth is simply too good to ignore.

McClean's arrival to lift Derry's spirits

Derry finished second last season after winning 18 of their 36 games and they have added plenty of new faces to their ranks in order to close the gap.

Former Wrexham winger James McClean has returned to the club after leaving in 2011 and he will add some much-needed experience to their squad.

He has been joined by Patrick McClean who has signed from Sligo Rovers, as well as Brandon Fleming, Adam Frizzell, James Clarke, Darragh Markey, Rob Slevin, Kevin Santos and James Olayinka.

Derry beat Shamrock twice last season, but their nine draws and defeats showed they were just not consistent enough. Having added plenty of depth to their squad, Derry look like the most realistic challengers to Shamrock's dominance.

St Patrick's Athletic are the third favourites at 6.00, but the departure of striker Mason Melia to Tottenham has hurt their prospects.

Shelbourne ended the 2025 campaign with a six-match unbeaten run, but a lack of a clear goalscorer within their ranks should be their Achilles heel.