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

313

Headquarters

Ireland

Primary Segment

Spectator Sports

Ownership

Privately Owned

News Summary:

Leinster winger James Lowe's contract situation drew attention when the province opted not to activate the second year of his '1+1' deal in late March 2026, despite public assurances from Ireland coach Andy Farrell. The IRFU had topped up Lowe's initial contract, signed in March 2025. Earlier, on June 10, 2026, the IRFU named a 30-player squad, sponsored by PwC, for the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship in Georgia, where Ireland will face England, Argentina, and the USA in Pool C. That same day, former IRFU chief executive Philip Browne, who guided Irish rugby for 29 years until his 2021 retirement, was acknowledged for his administrative qualities and stoicism. Previously, on June 7, 2026, the IRFU announced a new contract for head coach Andy Farrell, extending his role through the 2031 World Cup in the USA.

Similar Companies

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 sports tickets, merchandise and sponsorship and contact sports.

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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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

Jun

6th

2026

04:37

B2B Tag

Leinster's Resilience and Governance: The Blueprint Behind URC Final Push

An analysis of Leinster's journey to the URC final, highlighting their resilience amid criticism, the physical challenges of a demanding schedule, and the foundational role of strong organizational governance in their sustained success. Leinster's journey to the United Rugby Championship final has been defined by resilience in the face of relentless criticism.

Head Topics Ireland

Jun

5th

2026

05:00

Sports Rights Updates, B2B Tag

Andy Farrell Agrees New Contract With IRFU Until 2031

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has agreed a new contract with the IRFU. Farrell, whose previous deal, which was due to run until the end of the 2027 World Cup, has signed a new contract until 2031, which is set to see him lead the country into the World Cup in the USA that year.

Ireland's Classic Hits Radio

Jun

5th

2026

04:36

B2B Tag

Ireland sign coach Andy Farrell through to 2031 Rugby World Cup

Farrell, who has overseen a period of sustained success and evolution since taking on the role, will now lead Ireland into the next two Rugby World Cup cycles, providing continuity, stability, and long-term strategic direction for Ireland.

MSN South Africa

May

22nd

2026

06:23

B2B Tag

Ireland's 100 most reputable companies of 2026 ranked in annual index

The Ireland Reputation Index 2026 was published by The Reputations Agency this week, ranking 100 of the most important organizations in Ireland. For the fourth year in a row, Irish League of Credit Unions came out on top.

IrishCentral

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.