Colm Keys: 2026 season shape won't alter too much but will emerge with provincial draws and new format

"The shape of the 2026 football inter-county season will become clearer in the coming days with the four provincial championship draws taking place in Croke Park on Thursday night, followed by the adoption of the national fixtures plan by Central Council at the weekend."

"The overall map won't change much from recent seasons, despite a new championship structure to apply in the qualifiers, with the round-robin series in place for the last three years making way for a winners/losers section. That follows a first round which sees the eight provincial finalists drawn against the next best eight league teams, unless the Tailteann Cup winners come from outside those pools."

Four provincial championship draws will take place in Croke Park on Thursday night, and Central Council will adopt the national fixtures plan at the weekend. The overall championship map will remain similar to recent seasons. A new championship structure will apply within the qualifiers, replacing the round-robin series used for the last three years. The qualifiers will move to a winners/losers section following the first round. The first round will pair the eight provincial finalists against the next best eight league teams. Tailteann Cup winners from outside those pools could alter that pairing.

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