The Eircom League voted in favour of introducing summer football at their annual general meeting in Derry on Saturday.
There will be a transition period in 2002 with the season running from June until December.
In 2003, the season will run from March until October.
The three-year experiment will then be reviewed in 2005 and a final decision reached.
Finn Harps and St Patrick's Athletic were the only clubs to opppose the proposal.
