Northern Ireland Football League plans summer football vote by Christmas
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 1, 2026, 4:29 PM
Last updated Aug 1, 2026
Gerard Lawlor, CEO of the Northern Ireland Football League, aims to discuss the possibility of transitioning to summer football with clubs before Christmas, targeting a vote on changes to the league calendar by the 2028-29 season. This follows concerns expressed by Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins, who noted that local clubs struggle in European competitions under the current August-to-May system. The proposed schedule would align with that of the League of Ireland, running from mid-February to early November. Lawlor has emphasized the economic benefits of summer football, while acknowledging ongoing debates within the clubs and fanbases regarding the change.
- •Lawlor hopes for a vote on summer football before Christmas.
- •Current Irish Premiership calendar runs from August to May.
- •Concerns raised about clubs' European performance under this system.
- •Proposed summer football would align with League of Ireland's schedule.
- •Debate ongoing regarding implications for part-time players.
- 4:29 PMYahoo Sports — 'There will be a vote' over summer football - Lawlor
"Northern Ireland Football League CEO Gerard Lawlor says he hopes to discuss summer football with clubs before Christmas, with a view to a vote over changing the Irish League calendar as soon as the 2028-29 season.
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