The Allianz Hurling League is the national league of inter-county hurling, played in winter and early spring before the championship. This guide explains how the five divisions work, what happened in 2026 and how to approach betting on league games.
In 2026 Limerick beat Cork in the Division 1A final and Clare won Division 1B, according to Wikipedia’s league page.
- The format: five divisions of seven teams (1A, 1B, 2, 3 and 4). Each team plays the others in its division once.
- Points: two for a win, one for a draw. Division finals were played on 5 April 2026.
- 2026: Limerick won Division 1A, their 15th league title.
What is the Allianz Hurling League?
It is the National Hurling League, run by the GAA and sponsored by Allianz. Counties play in divisions, and promotion and relegation decide who plays at the top level the next year. It is the main early-season guide to form before the Munster and Leinster championships.
How does the league work?
- Five divisions: 1A, 1B, 2, 3 and 4, each with seven teams in 2026.
- Each team plays every other team in its division once.
- Two points for a win and one for a draw.
- The top two in each division reach the final, and both finalists are promoted.
- The bottom two in Divisions 1A, 1B, 2 and 3 are relegated.
The 2026 league began on 24 January, with Tipperary hosting Galway at Semple Stadium, and the finals were played on 5 April. Check GAA.ie for the next season’s fixtures.
What happened in 2026?
- Division 1A: Limerick beat Cork in the final, winning their 15th league title.
- Division 1B: Clare won the title, with Dublin second in the table.
- Division 2: Laois won, with Kerry second.
- Division 3: Wicklow won, with Donegal second.
- Division 4: Sligo won, with Longford second.
Waterford and Offaly finished in the bottom two of Division 1A and were relegated to 1B. Clare and Dublin go up to 1A for 2027, according to Wikipedia’s page, which also lists Kerry and Laois as promoted to Division 1B.
How do you bet on the Allianz Hurling League?
Bookmakers offer match odds, handicaps, winning margin and outright markets on the league and on promotion and relegation. League games are lower stakes than championship games, so squads rotate. Our GAA betting guide explains the markets, and the bet calculator works out returns on a single or a multiple.
What should you check before betting on a league game?
- Team news: league squads often rotate, and managers use the games to try players.
- What is at stake: promotion, relegation and a place in a final change how hard a team plays.
- Weather and pitch conditions, which matter in winter.
- The bookmaker’s rules on draws, extra time and void bets.
Related guides
- GAA championships, key dates and betting
- Allianz Football League
- All-Ireland hurling championship
- GAA betting guide
- Betting sites in Ireland
Frequently asked questions
How does the Allianz Hurling League work?
Five divisions of seven teams play each other once, two points for a win and one for a draw. The top two in each division reach the final, and the bottom two are relegated.
Who won the 2026 Allianz Hurling League?
Limerick won Division 1A, beating Cork in the final.
When does the Allianz Hurling League start?
In 2026 it began on 24 January and the finals were on 5 April.
Which teams were relegated from Division 1A in 2026?
Waterford and Offaly.
Does league form predict the championship?
Only loosely. Squads rotate in the league, and championship teams often peak later.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: 2026 National Hurling League – format, finals and promotion and relegation
- The42: 2026 GAA fixtures – league start dates and opening fixtures
- GAA.ie: master fixtures schedule for 2026 – official fixtures schedule
- GamblingCare.ie – free, confidential gambling support in Ireland
18+. Please play responsibly, gamblingcare.ie. This guide is independent editorial opinion; it is not a guarantee, endorsement or financial advice, and does not imply any affiliate or commercial relationship with any operator named.
Last updated 27 October 2026. Written and checked by the Punter Ireland editorial team. Offers, odds and rules change, so always check the operator’s own terms and the official sources above.
