The Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) chief executive Gerard Lawlor has said he hopes to discuss the possibility of switching the Irish League to a summer calendar with clubs before Christmas, with a view to holding a vote on the change as soon as the 2028-29 season.
Lawlor's comments were reported by BBC Sport on August 2, 2026. He stated, "There will be a vote" on the matter, indicating that the proposal is being taken seriously by the league's leadership.
The move would align the Irish League with many other European leagues that play through the summer months, potentially improving attendances and player welfare. However, any change would require the agreement of the majority of the 12 Premiership clubs.
No formal vote has been scheduled yet, and discussions are still at an early stage. The NIFL has not released an official statement beyond Lawlor's remarks.
