Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)

http://www.irishrugby.ie
https://www.linkedin.com/company/irish-rugby-football-union/

Irish Rugby Football Union, also known as IRFU, is a privately owned entity headquartered in Ireland. Founded in 1879, it employs approximately 320 individuals and reported $110.8M in revenue as of 2025. The organization also functions as a tier 2 media tech buyer. The company's main product area is Spectator Sports, and it serves as the governing body for rugby union on the island of Ireland.

2025 Revenue

Founded

1879

Headcount

348

Headquarters

Ireland

Primary Segment

Spectator Sports

Ownership

Privately Owned

News Summary:

On August 20, 2026, Vodafone Ireland became the main sponsor of the Ireland Women’s Rugby Team, with its branding appearing on the front of the national jersey for the first time. This agreement, which commenced in July, will run through 2028 and deepens Vodafone's decade-long partnership with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) across both men’s and women’s rugby. Previously, on July 31, 2026, the IRFU outlined a strategy to evolve its revenue, focusing on property development at Lansdowne Road and new income from data and digital initiatives. This direction, detailed in the Union’s 2025/26 Annual Report, aims to strengthen financial foundations amidst strong demand for international rugby and an expanding sponsorship portfolio, while acknowledging the rising costs of maintaining six professional teams and investing in women’s and grassroots rugby. Earlier, on July 8, 2026, the IRFU indicated it might increase its involvement in coaching recruitment following the controversial botched appointment of Roger Randle at Munster.

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Subscribe for full access to Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)'s profile

Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) offers 3 products in the sports industry. Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)'s product portfolio comprises of contact sports and sports tickets, merchandise and sponsorship.

Subscribe for full access to Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)'s products in full detail

Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)'s revenues were less than $250M in 2025. Caretta Research has split Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)'s revenue into 3 different product categories, the largest of which is rugby Union. For full access to Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)'s revenue breakdown subscribe to Caretta Portal.

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Aug

20th

2026

05:51

Partnerships and Alliances, B2B Tag, Marketing and Promotional Activities, Partnerships

Vodafone Steps Up to Become Main Sponsor of Ireland Women’s Rugby Team

Vodafone Ireland has deepened its relationship with Irish Rugby by becoming Main Sponsor of the Ireland Women’s Team, with its branding moving to the front of the national jersey for the first time. The agreement began in July and will run through to 2028, extending a partnership with the IRFU that has steadily developed across both the men’s and women’s games over the past decade.

Sport for Business

Aug

14th

2026

06:30

Partnerships and Alliances, B2B Tag, Marketing and Promotional Activities, Partnerships

Vodafone Ireland Becomes Main Sponsor of Ireland Women’s Rugby Team

Vodafone Ireland has been announced as the new main sponsor of the Ireland Women’s Rugby Team in an agreement that will see the company’s branding appear on the front of the team’s jersey for the first time.

AdWorld

Aug

11th

2026

07:10

Partnerships and Alliances, B2B Tag, Marketing and Promotional Activities, Partnerships

Vodafone becomes main shirt sponsor of Ireland women's rugby team

Vodafone is set to become the main sponsor of the Ireland women's rugby team after expanding its decade-long partnership with the IRFU. The telecommunications group has been the main shirt sponsor for men's team since 2016 and will now feature on the front of the women's team's shirts for the first time.

Business Plus

Jul

31st

2026

02:56

ESG, B2B Tag, Marketing and Promotional Activities

IRFU Turns to Property, Data and Digital as Revenue Strategy Evolves

The IRFU is looking to property development at Lansdowne Road and new income from data and digital to strengthen the long-term financial foundations of Irish rugby. The direction is set out in the Union’s 2025/26 Annual Report, which presents a picture of strong demand for international rugby, an expanding sponsorship portfolio and growing broadcast audiences, but also acknowledges the increasing cost of maintaining six professional teams while investing further in women’s and grassroots rugby.

Sport for Business

Jul

8th

2026

01:00

B2B Tag

IRFU may get more involved in coaching recruitment after Munster’s Randle controversy

The Irish Rugby Football Union could become more involved in the recruitment of positions within the wider coaching set up following Munster’s controversial botched appointment of Roger Randle . The former All Blacks winger was announced in mid-May to be linking up with his old boss at the Chiefs, Clayton McMillan, at Munster on a two-year deal as a replacement for Mike Prendergast.

Irish Examiner

Jul

7th

2026

18:35

B2B Tag

Leinster and the rest: Irish rugby chief David Humphreys on the game's key issues

IRFU performance director David Humphreys is in Sydney with Andy Farrell’s senior men’s side, and he sat down for a rare, in-depth Q&A, with the travelling media before returning home in the coming days. Humphreys’ takes on the Roger Randle controversy and resultant fallout at Munster, as well the possibility of Ronan O’Gara returning to coach in Ireland, are detailed elsewhere on this site.

Irish Examiner

Jul

1st

2026

02:58

Management Changes, B2B Tag

Irish Rugby Names Four Provincial Leads for Women’s Game

Irish Rugby has announced the appointment of four full-time provincial Women’s Rugby leadership roles in a landmark step in the continued development and professionalisation of the women’s game across Ireland. Larissa Muldoon has been appointed in Connacht, Derek Maybury in Leinster, Niamh Briggs in Munster, and Neill Alcorn in Ulster.

Sport for Business

Jun

30th

2026

03:26

B2B Tag

Larissa Muldoon appointed Connacht Women's Rugby Lead | 30th June 2026 | News

Connacht Rugby and the IRFU are delighted to announce the appointment of Larissa Muldoon as the new Connacht Women’s Rugby Lead. Muldoon is a familiar face to those involved in women’s rugby in Connacht. Following a stellar playing career, she moved into full-time coaching in 2023 by becoming the Connacht representative in the IRFU’s Women’s National Talent Squad (WNTS) pathway staff, working to help develop Connacht’s elite young talent.

Connacht Rugby

Jun

12th

2026

23:37

B2B Tag

James Lowe's Contract Turmoil: From Expected Extension to Pay Cut at Leinster

Leinster winger James Lowe signed a two-year '1+1' contract in March 2025, topped up by the IRFU. However, in late March 2026, the province opted not to activate the second year, leaving Lowe stunned after public assurances from Ireland coach Andy Farrell.

Head Topics Ireland

Jun

10th

2026

23:33

B2B Tag

Ireland Name U20 Squad for World Rugby Junior Championship in Georgia

The IRFU has named a 30-player squad, sponsored by PwC, for the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship, which gets underway later this month in Georgia. Ireland have been drawn in Pool C alongside England, Argentina and the USA, with all three pool matches to be played at the Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi.

Sport for Business

Jun

10th

2026

01:00

Management Changes, Corporate Restructuring, B2B Tag

Philip Browne: Former IRFU chief executive guided Irish rugby into bright new era

Philip Browne possessed many qualities as a person and an administrator, not least his capacity to remain stoic and unflustered no matter the circumstances. It served him well throughout his 29-year tenure at the IRFU until his retirement in 2021.

The Irish Times

Jun

7th

2026

13:46

B2B Tag

RORY KEANE: Does Irish rugby ever learn? The IRFU are making the same mistake with Andy Farrell as they did with Brian Ashton and Eddie O'Sullivan... no wonder Ireland have never won a World Cup knockout match in 40 years

Do we ever learn? On Friday morning, the IRFU announced that Andy Farrell had signed a new contract, which will take the head coach through to the 2031 World Cup, which is set to take place in the USA – a move which has been widely-hailed has a shrewd piece of business, for all concerned.

MailOnline

Examples of Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)'s suppliers include Ericsson, Blinkfire and STATSports.

Example Suppliers

Subscribe for full access to Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)'s profile

Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) sells broadcasting rights of its rugby Union competitions to 7 companies globally, covering 3 countries. Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)'s rights holders include BBC.