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Football Format Changes Discussion

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "Now we are this far along - their is merit in seeing what has worked and what has not.

Seedings - provincial losers shouldn't be seeded in the draw

Auto entry - Westmeath may not play in the All Ireland championship next year - even if they get promoted - 2026 trophy winners should have automatic entry to Sam Maguire the following year
I would much rather see Westmeath in Sam Maguire giving it a rattle than having Cavan knocking around making as much impact as a bird fart.

Gap weeks - we all have been hit with a load of matches week on week. Room needs to be found in the schedule.

Cutting the league back to groups of 6 is the only method now left to gain weeks if the finals date cant be pushed out."
On the league, it could go to 2 groups of 4 in each division. Its far from ideal but I dont see how 6 will work with 32 competing teams. Im not sure how you would make groups of 4 fair either but mathematically its the only way to shorten league and create space in calender. We cant start earlier.

I agree on most of the rest. I do think that provincial finalists should be seeded but its not a deal breaker. I also liked the 4 groups of 4 as it was fairer and gave everyone more games which is a goal especially in the Tailteann Cup.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 601 - 22/06/2026 14:21:09    2681249

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "Now we are this far along - their is merit in seeing what has worked and what has not.

Seedings - provincial losers shouldn't be seeded in the draw

Auto entry - Westmeath may not play in the All Ireland championship next year - even if they get promoted - 2026 trophy winners should have automatic entry to Sam Maguire the following year
I would much rather see Westmeath in Sam Maguire giving it a rattle than having Cavan knocking around making as much impact as a bird fart.

Gap weeks - we all have been hit with a load of matches week on week. Room needs to be found in the schedule.

Cutting the league back to groups of 6 is the only method now left to gain weeks if the finals date cant be pushed out."
I think it would be great to have the four 2B losers (Cavan, Kildare, Roscommon and Derry) play relegation semi finals and a final, with the loser going down and the Tailteann winner going up.
Gives teams like Westmeath a benefit for their championship performance, with their 1st round win guaranteeing Sam Maguire status for next year.
I don't like the idea of a slow start in January affecting your championship status the following May!

Ciaran359 (Galway) - Posts: 34 - 22/06/2026 15:35:32    2681272

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It is interesting that 3 of the 4 Provincial Champions are now out of the running for Sam Maguire at the 1/4 Final stage….!

It is now incredibly tough for a team to maintain that level of intensity, physical and emotional energy in the All-Ireland series after enjoying a massive Provincial Championship win.

With 3 Provinces now very competitive, I think this trend may very well continue tbh….

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 5108 - 22/06/2026 15:43:04    2681278

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "On the league, it could go to 2 groups of 4 in each division. Its far from ideal but I dont see how 6 will work with 32 competing teams. Im not sure how you would make groups of 4 fair either but mathematically its the only way to shorten league and create space in calender. We cant start earlier.

I agree on most of the rest. I do think that provincial finalists should be seeded but its not a deal breaker. I also liked the 4 groups of 4 as it was fairer and gave everyone more games which is a goal especially in the Tailteann Cup."
See div 1&2 teams in their provinces - all enter at qfinal stage
Div 1 7 teams - no final
Div 2 7 teams - no final
Div 3A, 3B, Div 4 - all 6 teams (league finals)- finishes earlier to start provincial qualifying rounds

league
week 3 - rd 1
Week 5 - rd 2
Week 7 - rd 3
Week 9 - rd 4
Week 11 - rd 5
Week 12 - rd 6/finals

Provincials
Week 14 prelim rounds
week 15 q finals
Week 17 semis
Week 19 finals

Tailteann Cup
Week 18 Group stage 1
Week 20 Group stage 2
Week 22 Group stage 3
Week 23 prelim q final v New York
Week 25 Q finals
Week 27 Final

Sam Maguire
Week 18 Round 1 - 8 non provincial finalists play - open draw - no repeat pairings (8 teams)
Week 19 - provincial finals (8 teams)
Week 20 Round 1A - 4 losing counties play each other - (2 eliminated)
Week 21 Round 2 - winning round 1 teams play losing provincial finalists -
Week 22 Round 3 - losing Round 2 team play each other - (2 eliminated)
Week 23 Round 4 - Provincial winners v round 2A and Round 3 winners (prov winners at home)
Week 25 Q finals - round 2 winners and round 4 winners.
Week 27 semi
week 29 final

Minimum of 2 weeks between games - maximum of 4

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1923 - 22/06/2026 16:13:09    2681295

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "See div 1&2 teams in their provinces - all enter at qfinal stage
Div 1 7 teams - no final
Div 2 7 teams - no final
Div 3A, 3B, Div 4 - all 6 teams (league finals)- finishes earlier to start provincial qualifying rounds

league
week 3 - rd 1
Week 5 - rd 2
Week 7 - rd 3
Week 9 - rd 4
Week 11 - rd 5
Week 12 - rd 6/finals

Provincials
Week 14 prelim rounds
week 15 q finals
Week 17 semis
Week 19 finals

Tailteann Cup
Week 18 Group stage 1
Week 20 Group stage 2
Week 22 Group stage 3
Week 23 prelim q final v New York
Week 25 Q finals
Week 27 Final

Sam Maguire
Week 18 Round 1 - 8 non provincial finalists play - open draw - no repeat pairings (8 teams)
Week 19 - provincial finals (8 teams)
Week 20 Round 1A - 4 losing counties play each other - (2 eliminated)
Week 21 Round 2 - winning round 1 teams play losing provincial finalists -
Week 22 Round 3 - losing Round 2 team play each other - (2 eliminated)
Week 23 Round 4 - Provincial winners v round 2A and Round 3 winners (prov winners at home)
Week 25 Q finals - round 2 winners and round 4 winners.
Week 27 semi
week 29 final

Minimum of 2 weeks between games - maximum of 4"
There are 7 rounds in a 7 team round robin.

Id need a chart to look at the rest!

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 601 - 22/06/2026 17:42:38    2681319

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "See div 1&2 teams in their provinces - all enter at qfinal stage
Div 1 7 teams - no final
Div 2 7 teams - no final
Div 3A, 3B, Div 4 - all 6 teams (league finals)- finishes earlier to start provincial qualifying rounds

league
week 3 - rd 1
Week 5 - rd 2
Week 7 - rd 3
Week 9 - rd 4
Week 11 - rd 5
Week 12 - rd 6/finals

Provincials
Week 14 prelim rounds
week 15 q finals
Week 17 semis
Week 19 finals

Tailteann Cup
Week 18 Group stage 1
Week 20 Group stage 2
Week 22 Group stage 3
Week 23 prelim q final v New York
Week 25 Q finals
Week 27 Final

Sam Maguire
Week 18 Round 1 - 8 non provincial finalists play - open draw - no repeat pairings (8 teams)
Week 19 - provincial finals (8 teams)
Week 20 Round 1A - 4 losing counties play each other - (2 eliminated)
Week 21 Round 2 - winning round 1 teams play losing provincial finalists -
Week 22 Round 3 - losing Round 2 team play each other - (2 eliminated)
Week 23 Round 4 - Provincial winners v round 2A and Round 3 winners (prov winners at home)
Week 25 Q finals - round 2 winners and round 4 winners.
Week 27 semi
week 29 final

Minimum of 2 weeks between games - maximum of 4"
As long as the men in suits prioritise money ahead of grassroots gaa then no plan under the sun will float properly. Its not complicated, we now have football back now its time to get our season back. In the name of player welfare the split season arrived, County finals are still played in late Oct and even in November. Thats a long season for a county player training nearly 12 months at that stage. Several high profile managers have highlighted the injuries especially hamstring injuries and the lack of time for recovery. We had 8 football games last wknd, 4 this wknd plus tailteann semis and the hurling games and some teams are playing 3 weeks in a row now. Ametuer?? These guys have jobs and are expected to perform like well paid professionals. For the spectator its becoming increasingly difficult to get to see these games and at that they have to pay for most of them if they are even broadcast..Can nobody see that the condensed season caused this?? Was it planned so the gaa could make money off the gaa channell with the legimate excuse that rte couldn't possibly cover even half of them.. In the meantime the north American championship revels in the best of talent flying over while the club player trudges away training here in anticipation of that county final in Oct/Nov...Just like it was before this "split season"

Dothesimplethingswell (Sligo) - Posts: 90 - 22/06/2026 20:12:53    2681339

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As long as the men in suits prioritise money ahead of grassroots gaa then no plan under the sun will float properly. Its not complicated, we now have football back now its time to get our season back. In the name of player welfare the split season arrived, County finals are still played in late Oct and even in November. Thats a long season for a county player training nearly 12 months at that stage. Several high profile managers have highlighted the injuries especially hamstring injuries and the lack of time for recovery. We had 8 football games last wknd, 4 this wknd plus tailteann semis and the hurling games and some teams are playing 3 weeks in a row now. Ametuer?? These guys have jobs and are expected to perform like well paid professionals. For the spectator its becoming increasingly difficult to get to see these games and at that they have to pay for most of them if they are even broadcast..Can nobody see that the condensed season caused this?? Was it planned so the gaa could make money off the gaa channell with the legimate excuse that rte couldn't possibly cover even half of them.. In the meantime the north American championship revels in the best of talent flying over while the club player trudges away training here in anticipation of that county final in Oct/Nov...Just like it was before this "split season"

Dothesimplethingswell (Sligo) - Posts: 90 - 22/06/2026 20:14:04    2681341

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Round 2A winners earned the direct route to the quarters fair and square. 3 weeks on the trot is a tough schedule though it has to be said. Hurling final winners have 4 weeks and the quarter winners have 2 weeks to their semi finals.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9876 - 22/06/2026 21:28:18    2681350

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What a great season we have had . Last January I was fortunate enough to be in Newbridge for the o Byrne Cup final . Little did I think I would be in clones last sunday one game away from an all Ireland quarter final . The dissapointment in wexford was replaced by pure joy when we won the leinster title beating Longford, Meath kildare and the dubs along the way. It has been a wonderful run . I feel that as provincial champions we and indeed all the provincial winners should have been awarded home venues for the first two rounds of the all Ireland series. But that is the only negative I have . Thank you Mark mchugh and all your backroom staff and our wonderful panel of players for a great run . Roll on next year when our talisman luke loughlin will hopefully be back to full health

mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 2014 - 23/06/2026 08:35:07    2681381

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Replying To Dothesimplethingswell:  "As long as the men in suits prioritise money ahead of grassroots gaa then no plan under the sun will float properly. Its not complicated, we now have football back now its time to get our season back. In the name of player welfare the split season arrived, County finals are still played in late Oct and even in November. Thats a long season for a county player training nearly 12 months at that stage. Several high profile managers have highlighted the injuries especially hamstring injuries and the lack of time for recovery. We had 8 football games last wknd, 4 this wknd plus tailteann semis and the hurling games and some teams are playing 3 weeks in a row now. Ametuer?? These guys have jobs and are expected to perform like well paid professionals. For the spectator its becoming increasingly difficult to get to see these games and at that they have to pay for most of them if they are even broadcast..Can nobody see that the condensed season caused this?? Was it planned so the gaa could make money off the gaa channell with the legimate excuse that rte couldn't possibly cover even half of them.. In the meantime the north American championship revels in the best of talent flying over while the club player trudges away training here in anticipation of that county final in Oct/Nov...Just like it was before this "split season""
The season actually suits the county players

1. Pre season in December
2. Pre season games in Jan
3. League games form Feb - April
4. Provincial from April to May
5. All Ireland from May to July
6. August off
7. Club championship from September to November

There are then a few players who decide to go to the states - more for the craic than serious football

There are another few who's club season then overlaps with county preseason - a decent county manager will give them lads Feb/March off and wont bother those lads until April - if they want them to do well in summer.

The nature of club football is that it is rare for a club to go back to back provincial titles - so the problem is not every year for the same players.

The big problem is the league - is needs to have less games - particularly at the top divisions as those are generally the guys who end up playing all year round.

Your div 4 footballers, might get to a provincial club final once in their life if they are lucky.

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1923 - 23/06/2026 09:36:50    2681389

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@tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1915 - 23/06/2026 09:36:50

To cut NFL games, have divs of 12 (1A/1B), 12 (2A/2B) & 8 3N/3S).
12s are 6v6 and 8 is double round robin regions of 4.
Finals - Divs 1&2, top 2 of combined 12; Div 3, top NvS.
Finalists in Divs 2&3 go up; Divs 1&2, bottom 2 of 12 down.

Or, for shorter:
Keep 4 divs of 8, but seeds 1458 v 2367 only (4 games)
Keep Finals, Promotion & Relegation as is.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 3458 - 23/06/2026 13:58:19    2681477

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The league has rounds 3, 4 and 5 on consecutive weekends. Rounds 6, 7 and finals are also on consecutive weekends. The Leinster hurling championship has 3 consecutive weekends as well. Possibly the ideal of not having 3 consecutive weekends in the All Ireland SFC is something to categorise as a nice to have but can get by without.

Mayo were the only 2A team to win in R3. They were also the only 2A team to have a home game. It is nearly better to lose in R1 than 2A. Possibly better to go into R3 off the back of a win, which would nearly strengthen the argument that 2A losers should be treated as group runners up under the previous format and have home game in R3.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9876 - 23/06/2026 16:31:54    2681543

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "The season actually suits the county players

1. Pre season in December
2. Pre season games in Jan
3. League games form Feb - April
4. Provincial from April to May
5. All Ireland from May to July
6. August off
7. Club championship from September to November

There are then a few players who decide to go to the states - more for the craic than serious football

There are another few who's club season then overlaps with county preseason - a decent county manager will give them lads Feb/March off and wont bother those lads until April - if they want them to do well in summer.

The nature of club football is that it is rare for a club to go back to back provincial titles - so the problem is not every year for the same players.

The big problem is the league - is needs to have less games - particularly at the top divisions as those are generally the guys who end up playing all year round.

Your div 4 footballers, might get to a provincial club final once in their life if they are lucky."
What about the club player training from Jan or Feb and still playing county finals in Oct/Nov? Do they stop training until the county scene stops?? Unlikely.. They training for months with no games..Come end of July with the old system there was probably 8 teams left in the championship...Thats 24 counties who could be getting on with championship some of them even a month earlier. The AI final is 2 moths earlier than it was yet county finals still played in winter with some of them postponed due to the weather... Most county teams dont play from mid June on (earlier for some) yet county finals still played in the mud?? So we have a gaping hole in our games at the height of summer when the days are long and the ground hard..An own goal if ever I saw one

Dothesimplethingswell (Sligo) - Posts: 90 - 23/06/2026 23:55:04    2681630

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Replying To Seanfan:  "I believe Jeopardy Jarlath mentioned Round 3 having neutral venues next year.
It should as it's an Eliminator Round and same goes for Round 2B.
Put fairness before €.
Meath must be setting up a new record for distances travelled after 3 away games!"
Westmeath played 7 championship games this year. Only 1 from 7 was in Mullingar. That's the only gripe I have about championship. That reflects more on the Leinster championship and teams not having home/away agreements like the other provinces.

Chops (Westmeath) - Posts: 929 - 24/06/2026 10:37:18    2681653

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Replying To Dothesimplethingswell:  "What about the club player training from Jan or Feb and still playing county finals in Oct/Nov? Do they stop training until the county scene stops?? Unlikely.. They training for months with no games..Come end of July with the old system there was probably 8 teams left in the championship...Thats 24 counties who could be getting on with championship some of them even a month earlier. The AI final is 2 moths earlier than it was yet county finals still played in winter with some of them postponed due to the weather... Most county teams dont play from mid June on (earlier for some) yet county finals still played in the mud?? So we have a gaping hole in our games at the height of summer when the days are long and the ground hard..An own goal if ever I saw one"
Has Sligo not got Club Leagues?????

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 673 - 24/06/2026 10:57:42    2681654

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The hurling championship has a grand time of it with 2 home games but they still find a reason to complain!!

The GPA are pushing for a restructure of the league. They want to avoid playing on 3 consecutive weekends. If the league was reduced to 6 rounds - there can be a 4 week gap from 2A to quarters, a 2 week gap from 2B to R3 and a 2 week gap from R3 to quarters. It'll come down to lobbying and getting the county boards on board.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9876 - 24/06/2026 11:16:13    2681661

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Championship games should not be week on week. These fellas are all working and have lives and families. There should be a minimum of 2 weeks between every game and ideally it is 3 weeks between them all. Also feel that championship week on week devalues what championship is really about a small bit.

The break between players is for the players benefit most of all but then also supporters. It is a very tall order for families to expect to be able to bring children to games all the time. I see Armagh had 7 games in 11 weeks, that is tight going on people and serious consideration should be given to the long term impact of this.

Talk of condensed seasons and tight timescales is a handy excuse to stop the powers that be properly looking at the issue. Scheduling is not a problem that is fundamentally difficult to resolve.

Then outside of scheduling there is the other issue in terms of venue. In the current system, provincial finalists should get home advantage for round 1 but then round 2 and round 3 have to be Neutral venue. No other way of doing it is fair.

inthru (Donegal) - Posts: 7 - 24/06/2026 11:20:40    2681665

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Replying To Chops:  "Westmeath played 7 championship games this year. Only 1 from 7 was in Mullingar. That's the only gripe I have about championship. That reflects more on the Leinster championship and teams not having home/away agreements like the other provinces."
I agree Chops.
Also in the interest of fairness,round 3 games should be neutral venue in in the interest of fairness.In such a condensed season ,a long away trek is detrimental to a teams chances.Matthew Costello of Meath spoke on the hard slog of 3 away trips in a row and they were very flat in second half v Meath.

Likewise Armagh looked jaded in second half v Kerry.The long trip to Kerry was very hard on them and in truth unfair.The new system has been great but it has to be fair on all teams. Worldwide its know there are 4 advantages to having home venue and one is lack of travel.

Its no coincidence all 4 away teams lost last weekend and it was in second half they really tired.

P.s.Congrats on a great season for Westmeath.Really enjoyed watching them and hopefully they are here to stay now with Mark McHugh who has done a great job.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 4198 - 24/06/2026 11:39:33    2681669

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Replying To Dothesimplethingswell:  "What about the club player training from Jan or Feb and still playing county finals in Oct/Nov? Do they stop training until the county scene stops?? Unlikely.. They training for months with no games..Come end of July with the old system there was probably 8 teams left in the championship...Thats 24 counties who could be getting on with championship some of them even a month earlier. The AI final is 2 moths earlier than it was yet county finals still played in winter with some of them postponed due to the weather... Most county teams dont play from mid June on (earlier for some) yet county finals still played in the mud?? So we have a gaping hole in our games at the height of summer when the days are long and the ground hard..An own goal if ever I saw one"
Now i am not agreeing with everything my Mayo friend is saying. I mostly disagree with his posts. I have one question for you.

Tell me where there's a club player who has no games for a long period of time? As you have stated?

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8883 - 24/06/2026 11:58:57    2681677

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I definitely think the all Ireland needs to be pushed back 2 weeks min at end of day by mid July there would only be 4 teams left ,I hear lots on about the club players lots of club players in America or Canada now as all club championship don't start before Aug and after this weekend they only be 4 teams left in championship at end June a bit ridiculous in my opinion I know in Galway majority of club league matches done since last weekend just Div finals so in reality from mid June to first week in Aug no fixtures so I'd say there a 6 werk window there for players sort out hols again only my opinion but inter county way 2 crammed no matter what we say inter county is where the crowds go 2 see I know in club matches be a struggle get 4-5 hundred at club game bar semi final or final very few neturals go early round club matches usually just few hundred for both clubs

Kickitout (Galway) - Posts: 1160 - 24/06/2026 12:15:36    2681679

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