Cork Business League Announces Transition to Calendar Season
The Cork Business League (CBL), affiliated with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and the Munster Football Association (MFA), is pleased to announce a major structural change in our competition format. Beginning in 2026, the CBL will move to a calendar season format, aligning with the FAI’s Football Pathways Plan and the national vision to unify the football calendar across all levels in Ireland by 2028.
The CBL currently plays it’s season as it is traditionally known as the “Winter Season”, beginning in late August and completing the season in late May / early June. With this move, the “Calendar Season” adjusts our start date to be in March and end date of the season to be in October / November.
This transition is informed by the FAI’s extensive consultation process, which included over 11,000 hours of engagement with stakeholders across the country. The move to a calendar aligned season is designed to modernise Irish football and deliver benefits to players, clubs, and administrators alike including the CBL.
As part of this change, the CBL will operate a shortened transitional season in 2025, allowing clubs to prepare for the full switch to a calendar-year format in 2026. This transitional step ensures a smooth adjustment period while maintaining competitive integrity and engagement across the league with the following plannned for our 2025 season starting in early August 2025, all to be confirmed closer to kick off, depending on entry numbers.
Benefits of the Calendar Season Format:
- Improved Playing Conditions: Playing during better weather months enhances pitch quality and overall match experience.
- Greater Participation Opportunities: A more structured and seasonally appropriate calendar supports consistent player availability and activity.
- Aligned Player Registration Windows
CBL Secretary Peter Travers spoke to us after a Munster FA Council Meeting last night:
“God, this is exciting! Winter football – we’re done pretending that it’s working. Calendar football means better conditions, more actual football, and less registration issues. We’re setting our sights on progress. Sunshine. Structure. Sanity. We are proud to be part of this important step forward for Irish football, and we look forward to working closely with our clubs and stakeholders to ensure the transition is a success. More details, including key dates and competition formats for the 2025 transitional season, will be shared in the coming weeks.”
For further information or queries, please contact our secretary at [email protected] or 0863450963.
If you are interested in joining us for the shortened 2025 season and onwards to 2026, please click here to register your interest: https://corkbusinessleague.ie/join/
