All-Ireland Football championship: Who is included and how does it work?

Michael Bolton

After this weekend, the teams will be confirmed for the All-Ireland football championship.

Following the Leinster and Ulster football finals, all provincial finals will be confirmed, with the draw for the championship taking place on Monday.

The group stage format that was in place since 2023 has been removed, with teams now knowing two defeats will see their championship hopes end.

Here is all you need to know.

Who is in the All-Ireland?

The eight teams involved in the four provincial finals qualify for the All-Ireland.

They will be joined by the next seven highest-ranked teams in the league, and Kildare, who won the Tailteann Cup last year.

This weekend will see the final places confirmed. Cavan are on course to be in the All-Ireland, but that could change depending on results.

If Down defeats Armagh, and Westmeath win against Kildare, Cavan will drop down to the Tailteann Cup.

If Down lose to Armagh, and Westmeath defeats Kildare, Down will be in the Tailteann Cup.

If Down wins and Westmeath loses, Down and Cavan will be in the All-Ireland.

Format

The eight Provincial Champions and Runners-Up shall be drawn to play at Home against the other eight teams.

The next round, 2A, will see the eight winners drawn to play against each other, with the first team drawn having home advantage.

Round 2B will see the eight teams that lose in the first round drawn to play against each other, with the losers in this round having their season come to an end.

In the next round, the four losing teams from Round 2a will be drawn to play the four winning teams from Round 2b.

The quarter-finals will see the four winners of Round 2a drawn to play against the four winners of Round three.

When possible, draws will avoid a repeat of the provincial finals.