The All-Ireland football championship is the top inter-county competition in Gaelic football, and the winner lifts the Sam Maguire Cup. This guide explains the 2026 format, who qualifies, what happened in 2026 and how to approach betting on the games.
In 2026 Mayo beat Kerry in the final and ended a 75-year wait for the title, according to GAA.ie. The tournament also used a new format, which changes how to read the odds.
- The format: 16 teams play a modified double-elimination championship, with no group stage, from Round 1 to the final.
- 2026 winner: Mayo beat Kerry in the final, their first title since 1951.
- For bettors: single-game knockout markets are volatile. Donegal beat Kerry by ten points in Round 1, so check the format before you back a favourite.
What is the All-Ireland football championship?
It is the Tier 1 inter-county football competition, played over the summer. In 2026 it had 16 teams, drawn from the 33 in the wider football championship, and the winner takes the Sam Maguire Cup. The Tailteann Cup is the Tier 2 competition for the other counties.
How does the 2026 format work?
The round-robin group stage was dropped for 2026 in favour of a modified double-elimination format. Round 1 has eight games, and the winners go to Round 2A while the losers go to Round 2B. Teams that lose a second time are out.
| Stage | What happens | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Eight ties. Provincial finalists are seeded and play at home against league-ranked teams | 23–24 and 30–31 May |
| Round 2A | Round 1 winners play. Winners go straight to the quarter-finals | 13–14 June |
| Round 2B | Round 1 losers play. Losers are out | 13–14 June |
| Round 3 | Round 2A losers play Round 2B winners | 20–21 June |
| Quarter-finals | Round 2A winners play Round 3 winners | 27–28 June |
| Semi-finals | Four teams left | 11–12 July |
| Final | A replay date was listed for 8 August | 26 July |
Dates come from the official GAA schedule and can change, so check GAA.ie for the latest.
Who qualifies for the championship?
- The four provincial champions and the four beaten provincial finalists.
- The 2025 Tailteann Cup winner, Kildare.
- The seven next-ranked teams from the 2026 National Football League.
What happened in the 2026 championship?
Mayo won the Sam Maguire Cup by beating Kerry in the final at Croke Park, scheduled for 26 July, according to GAA.ie. It was their first title since 1951. The run to the final had several surprises.
- Westmeath beat Dublin in the Leinster final, Kerry won Munster and Armagh won Ulster.
- Roscommon won Connacht, beating Mayo and then Galway.
- Donegal beat Kerry by ten points in Round 1.
- Louth reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1957, then lost to Mayo.
- Kerry beat Dublin 2-18 to 0-20 in the other semi-final.
- Wicklow won the Tailteann Cup.
Who has won the All-Ireland football championship recently?
| Year | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Mayo | Kerry |
| 2025 | Kerry | Donegal |
| 2024 | Armagh | Galway |
| 2023 | Dublin | Kerry |
| 2022 | Kerry | Galway |
| 2021 | Tyrone | Mayo |
| 2020 | Dublin | Mayo |
Through the 2025 final, Kerry had won 39 titles and Dublin 31, followed by Galway on nine and Cork and Meath on seven each. Mayo had three before 2026 and now have four.
How do you bet on the All-Ireland football championship?
The usual markets are match odds (win, draw or lose), the handicap, winning margin and total points. Outright markets on the Sam Maguire Cup open months ahead, and provincial markets are separate. Our GAA betting guide explains each market and how bets are settled after extra time and replays.
A knockout format means one bad day ends a campaign, and 2026 showed how fast a favourite can fall. If you build a multiple across several games, the accumulator calculator shows how quickly the odds multiply and how rarely every leg wins. Read how betting odds work to see what a price implies.
What should you check before betting on a championship game?
- Team news and injuries, which often come late.
- Home advantage, since provincial finalists host in Round 1.
- The format: a team in Round 2A has a second chance, and a team in Round 2B or Round 3 does not.
- The bookmaker’s rules on extra time, replays and void bets.
- Weather and venue.
County guides: Kerry, Dublin, Mayo, Cork, Galway.
The league comes first: see the Allianz Football League guide.
Related guides
- GAA championships, key dates and betting
- GAA betting guide
- All-Ireland hurling championship
- Bet types explained
- Accumulator calculator
- Betting sites in Ireland
Frequently asked questions
How does the All-Ireland football championship work?
In 2026 it had 16 teams in a modified double-elimination format: Round 1, Round 2A and 2B, Round 3, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final. The group stage was dropped.
Who won the 2026 All-Ireland football final?
Mayo beat Kerry, ending a 75-year wait for the Sam Maguire Cup.
Who has won the most All-Ireland football titles?
Kerry, with 39 through the 2025 final, followed by Dublin with 31.
What is the Tailteann Cup?
The Tier 2 football competition for counties outside the All-Ireland series. Wicklow won it in 2026.
Where can I bet on the All-Ireland football championship?
With a licensed bookmaker. Compare prices and terms on our betting sites page and check the licence first.
Sources and further reading
- GAA.ie: format for the 2026 All-Ireland SFC and Tailteann Cup – official format and dates
- GAA.ie: football championship review – report on the 2026 football championship
- 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.
