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NEW YORK Thursday, November 5, 2026

Europe

Liverpool and Manchester United lead Irish Premier League support

Research shows Liverpool narrowly edges Manchester United in Ireland's football following.

New York Editorial News Desk November 5, 2026 1 min read

The Brief

  • Liverpool had 443,500 followers, Manchester United 441,000 in Republic of Ireland.
  • Historical Irish emigration and family ties contributed to club popularity.
  • Irish players for both clubs strengthened fan connections across the Irish Sea.

Research by Adaptive & Co using Facebook and Instagram data from October to November 2021 found Liverpool had slightly more followers than Manchester United in the Republic of Ireland.

The study showed Liverpool with 443,500 followers compared to Manchester United's 441,000, significantly higher than Chelsea and Arsenal, which had 254,100 and 246,400 followers respectively.

The connection between Ireland and English football dates back centuries, with Irish people emigrating to British industrial cities for work, particularly in the 1800s.

Liverpool, being the closest major city to Ireland, developed a large Irish community, creating lasting cultural and family links that continue today.

Irish players for both clubs have played a major role in their popularity, with figures like George Best, Roy Keane, and Ronnie Whelan becoming iconic figures for fans in Ireland.

The rise of the Premier League and television coverage allowed Irish families to follow their favorite teams regularly, passing down support through generations.

While newer clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City are gaining younger supporters, Liverpool and Manchester United remain dominant in Irish Premier League following.

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