2018 SSE Airtricity League format confirmed

The 2018 SSE Airtricity League First Division will be a 27 league game season and it will kick-off on Friday, February 23rd.

In the First Division, the 2nd/3rd/4th placed clubs will go into the promotion/relegation play-offs at the end of the season. The team which finishes fourth will play the team which finishes third and the winner of that tie will face the team which finishes second. The winner of that tie will then play the team which finishes ninth in the Premier Division in the final promotion/relegation play-off, with all play-offs played over two legs.

The champions of the First Division will be guaranteed automatic promotion to the Premier Division where they will replace the team which finishes 10th in the top tier.

The mid-season break will take place from Saturday, June 16th to Thursday, June 28th and there are no midweek league fixtures scheduled in the First Division.

The Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup Final is set for Sunday, November 4th at the Aviva Stadium. The EA SPORTS Cup Final will take place on Saturday, September 15th.

The 2018 SSE Airtricity League Fixture List will be released at 12.00 noon on Tuesday, December 19th.