2026 National Hurling League#Division 1B
{{Short description|2026 hurling competition in Ireland and England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox GAA League
|league = 2026 National Hurling League
|image =
|dates = January – March/April 2026
|teams = 35
|team1 =
|captain1 =
|manager1 =
|titles =
|team2 =
|captain2 =
|manager2 =
|oneb =
|two =
|three =
|four =
|previous = 2025
|next = 2027
}}
The 2026 National Hurling League, known for sponsorship reasons as the Allianz Hurling League, is due to be the 95th staging of the National Hurling League (NHL), an annual hurling tournament for county teams. Thirty-two county teams from Ireland, and three from England, compete.{{Cite web|url=http://wexfordweekly.com/2025/03/24/wexfords-opponents-revealed-for-2026-allianz-hurling-and-football-leagues/sport/|title=Wexford's opponents revealed for 2026 Allianz Hurling and Football Leagues | Wexford Weekly|first=Wexford|last=Weekly|date=24 March 2025|website=wexfordweekly.com}}{{Cite journal|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/hurling/2025/0304/1500235-twists-and-turns-still-to-come-in-the-hurling-league/|title=Twists and turns still to come in the hurling league|first=Shane|last=McGrath|date=4 March 2025|via=www.rte.ie}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gaa.ie/article/2025-allianz-hurling-league-permutations|title=2025 Allianz Hurling League permutations|date=19 March 2025|website=www.gaa.ie}}
Cork are the reigning champions.
Format
=League structure=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||||||
| colspan=7 | Teams by Province and Division | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Province | Division 1A | Division 1B | Division 2 | Division 3 | Division 4 || Total | |
| Connacht | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Leinster | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 12 |
| Munster | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Ulster | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 9 |
| Britain | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| colspan=7 | | ||||||
| Total | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
The 2026 National Hurling League consists of five divisions of seven teams. Each team plays every other team in its division once. Two points are awarded for a win and one for a draw.
In the top division, Division 1A, teams compete to become the National Hurling League (NHL) champions. The top two teams qualify for the NHL Final.
Teams compete for promotion and relegation to a higher or lower league. In Divisions 1B, 2, 3 and 4, the first- and second-placed teams play in the divisional final and are both promoted, while the bottom two teams of divisions 1A, 1B, 2 and 3 are relegated.
=Tiebreakers for league ranking=
As per the Official GAA Guide - Part 1 - Section 6.21{{cite web |title=GAA Official Guide - Part 1 |url=https://www.gaa.ie/api/pdfs/image/upload/ljywtjsso59j5omsvd3b.pdf |website=gaa.ie |accessdate=21 October 2020}} -
If two teams in the same group are equal on points on completion of the league phase, the following tie-breaking criteria are applied:
- Where two teams only are involved - the outcome of the meeting of the two teams in the previous game in the Competition;
If three or more teams in the same group are equal on points on completion of the league phase, the following tie-breaking criteria are applied:
- Scoring Difference (subtracting the total scores against from total scores for);
- Highest Total Score For;
- A Play-Off.
In the event that two teams or more finish with equal points, but have been affected by a disqualification, loss of game on a proven objection, retirement or walkover, the tie shall be decided by the following means:
- Score Difference from the games in which only the teams involved, (teams tied on points), have played each other. (subtracting the total Scores Against from total Scores For)
- Highest Total Score For, in which only the teams involved, have played each other, and have finished equal in (i)
- A Play-Off
Division 1A
{{Location map+ | Island of Ireland
| float =right
| caption = Locations of the 2026 NHL Division 1A teams|width=300
| places =
{{Location map~ | Island of Ireland
| lat_deg = 53.263036
| lon_deg = -9.084860|label_size=80
| label = Galway
}}
{{Location map~|Ireland |label=Offaly |label_size=80 |position=right |mark=Red pog.svg
|lat_deg=53 |lat_min=16 |lat_sec=48.59 |lat_dir=N |lon_deg=07 |lon_min=29 |lon_sec=21.78 |lon_dir=W}}
{{Location map~|Ireland |label=Cork |label_size=80 |position=left
|lat_deg=51 |lat_min=53 |lat_sec=35.45 |lat_dir=N |lon_deg=08 |lon_min=26 |lon_sec=03.68 |lon_dir=W}}
{{Location map~|Ireland |label=Limerick |label_size=80 |position=bottom
|lat_deg=52 |lat_min=40 |lat_sec=12.35 |lat_dir=N |lon_deg=08 |lon_min=39 |lon_sec=15.50 |lon_dir=W}}
{{Location map~|Ireland |label=Tipperary |label_size=80 |position=top
|lat_deg=52 |lat_min=40 |lat_sec=55.62 |lat_dir=N |lon_deg=07 |lon_min=49 |lon_sec=33.68 |lon_dir=W}}
{{Location map~| Ireland|label=Waterford |label_size=80 |position=left |mark=Red pog.svg
|lat_deg=52.254889 |lat_dir=N |lon_deg=7.127783 |lon_dir=W}}
{{Location map~ | Ireland
| lat_deg = 52.656389|label_size=80
| lon_deg = -7.239444
| label = Kilkenny
}}
}}
=Table=
|section=Division 1
|source=[http://www.gaa.ie/hurling/hurling-league-roinn-1a/tables GAA.ie]
|for_against_style=points
|class_rules=Tiebreakers
|team1=WAT |team7=OFF|team6=TIP|team3=GAL |team2=COR |team4=KIK |team5=LIM
|update=future |start_date= January 2026
|win_GAL=0 |draw_GAL=0 |loss_GAL=0 |gf_GAL=00 |ga_GAL=00
|win_COR=0 |draw_COR=0 |loss_COR=0 |gf_COR=00 |ga_COR=00
|win_WAT=0 |draw_WAT=0 |loss_WAT=0 |gf_WAT=00 |ga_WAT=00
|win_LIM=0 |draw_LIM=0 |loss_LIM=0 |gf_LIM=00 |ga_LIM=00
|win_OFF=0 |draw_OFF=0 |loss_OFF=0 |gf_OFF=00 |ga_OFF=00
|win_TIP=0 |draw_TIP=0 |loss_TIP=0 |gf_TIP=00 |ga_TIP=00
|win_KIL=0 |draw_KIL=0 |loss_KIL=0 |gf_KIL=00 |ga_KIL=00
|name_TIP=File:Colours of Tipperary.svg {{GG|Tipperary|hurling}}
|name_KIK=File:Colours of Kilkenny.svg {{GG|Kilkenny|hurling}}
|name_WAT=File:Colours of Waterford.svg {{GG|Waterford|hurling}}
|name_OFF=File:Colours of Offaly.svg {{GG|Offaly|hurling}}
|name_GAL=File:Colours of Galway.svg {{GG|Galway|hurling}}
|name_LIM=File:Colours of Limerick.svg {{GG|Limerick|hurling}}
|name_COR=File:Colours of Cork.svg {{GG|Cork|hurling}}
|res_col_header=Q
|result1=F |result2=F |result6=R |result7=R
|col_F=gold |text_F=Advance to NHL Final
|col_R=red1 |text_R=Relegation to 2027 NHL Division 1B
|winpoints=2 |drawpoints=1 |losspoints=0
|status_text_Q=Advance to NHL final
|status_text_R=Relegated
}}
Division 1B
=Table=
|section=Division 1B
|source=[http://www.gaa.ie/hurling/hurling-league-roinn-1b/tables GAA.ie]
|for_against_style=points
|class_rules=Tiebreakers
|team1=ANT |team6=CLA|team7=KIL|team3=DUB |team2=CAR |team4=DOW|team5=WEX
|win_ANT=0 |draw_ANT=0 |loss_ANT=0 |gf_ANT=00 |ga_ANT=00
|win_CAR=0 |draw_CAR=0 |loss_CAR=0 |gf_CAR=00 |ga_CAR=00
|win_DUB=0 |draw_DUB=0 |loss_DUB=0 |gf_DUB=00 |ga_DUB=00
|win_WEX=0 |draw_WEX=0 |loss_WEX=0 |gf_WEX=00 |ga_WEX=00
|win_CLA=0 |draw_CLA=0 |loss_CLA=0 |gf_CLA=00 |ga_CLA=00
|win_KIL=0 |draw_KIL=0 |loss_KIL=0 |gf_KIL=00 |ga_KIL=00
|win_DOW=0 |draw_DOW=0 |loss_DOW=0 |gf_DOW=00 |ga_DOW=00
|name_WEX=File:Colours of Wexford.svg {{GG|Wexford|hurling}}
|name_CLA=File:Colours of Clare.svg {{GG|Clare|hurling}}
|name_CAR=File:Colours of Carlow.svg {{GG|Carlow|hurling}}
|name_ANT=File:Colours of Antrim.svg {{GG|Antrim|hurling}}
|name_DUB=File:Colours of Dublin.svg {{GG|Dublin|hurling}}
|name_DOW=File:Colours of Down.svg {{GG|Down|hurling}}
|name_KIL=File:Colours of Kildare.svg {{GG|Kildare|hurling}}
|update=future |start_date= January 2026
|res_col_header=Q
|result1=F |result2=F |result6=R |result7=R
|col_F=green1 |text_F=Advance to NHL Division 1B Final and
promotion to 2027 NHL Division 1A
|col_R=red1 |text_R=Relegation to 2027 NHL Division 2
|winpoints=2 |drawpoints=1 |losspoints=0
|status_text_P=Promoted and advance to divisional final
|status_text_R=Relegated
}}
=Matches=
=Division 1B Final=
{{GAAmatchbox
| date = March/April 2026
| time =
| round =
| team1 = First-placed team
| score1 =
| score2 =
| team2 = Second-placed team
| goals1 =
| points1 =
| goals2 =
| points2 =
| HT =
| location = Dublin
| venue = Croke Park
| referee =
| attendance =
| report =
| TV =
}}
Division 2
=Table=
|section=Division 2
|source=[http://www.gaa.ie/hurling/hurling-league-roinn-2/tables GAA.ie]
|for_against_style=points
|class_rules=Tiebreakers
|team3=WES|team4=LAO|team6=MEA|team2= LDN|team7=MAY|team5=KER|team1= DER
|update=future |start_date= January 2026
|win_MEA=0 |draw_MEA=0 |loss_MEA=0 |gf_MEA=00 |ga_MEA=00
|win_KER=0 |draw_KER=0 |loss_KER=0 |gf_KER=00 |ga_KER=00
|win_DER=0 |draw_DER=0 |loss_DER=0 |gf_DER=00 |ga_DER=00
|win_LDN=0 |draw_LDN=0 |loss_LDN=0 |gf_LDN=00 |ga_LDN=00
|win_MAY=0 |draw_MAY=0 |loss_MAY=0 |gf_MAY=00 |ga_MAY=00
|win_LAO=0 |draw_LAO=0 |loss_LAO=0 |gf_LAO=00 |ga_LAO=00
|win_WES=0 |draw_WES=0 |loss_WES=0 |gf_WES=00 |ga_WES=00
|name_WES=File:Colours of Westmeath.svg {{GG|Westmeath|hurling}}
|name_LAO=File:Colours of Laois.svg {{GG|Laois|hurling}}
|name_MEA=File:Colours of Meath.svg {{GG|Meath|hurling}}
|name_MAY=File:Colours of Mayo.svg {{GG|Mayo|hurling}}
|name_LDN=File:Colours of London.svg {{GG|London|hurling}}
|name_KER=File:Colours of Kerry.svg {{GG|Kerry|hurling}}
|name_DER=File:Colours of Derry.svg {{GG|Derry|hurling}}
|res_col_header=Q
|result1=F
|result2=F
|result6=R
|result7=R
|col_F=green1 |text_F=Advance to NHL Division 2 Final and
promotion to 2027 NHL Division 1B
|col_R=red1 |text_R=Relegation to 2027 NHL Division 3
|winpoints=2
|drawpoints=1
|losspoints=0
|status_text_P=Promoted and advance to divisional final
|status_text_R=Relegated
}}
=Matches=
=Division 2 Final=
{{GAAmatchbox
| date = March/April 2026
| time =
| round =
| team1 = First-placed team
| score1 =
| score2 =
| team2 = Second-placed team
| goals1 =
| points1 =
| goals2 =
| points2 =
| HT =
| location =
| venue =
| referee =
| attendance =
| report =
| TV =
}}
Division 3
=Table=
|section=Division 3
|source=[http://www.gaa.ie/hurling/hurling-league-roinn-3/tables GAA.ie]
|for_against_style=points
|class_rules=Tiebreakers
|team1=ARM|team3=DON|team6=TYR|team4=LOU|team7=WIC |team5=ROS |team2= FER
|update=future |start_date= January 2026
|win_DON=0 |draw_DON=0 |loss_DON=0 |gf_DON=00 |ga_DON=00
|win_ROS=0 |draw_ROS=0 |loss_ROS=0 |gf_ROS=00 |ga_ROS=00
|win_ARM=0 |draw_ARM=0 |loss_ARM=0 |gf_ARM=00 |ga_ARM=00
|win_WIC=0 |draw_WIC=0 |loss_WIC=0 |gf_WIC=00 |ga_WIC=00
|win_TYR=0 |draw_TYR=0 |loss_TYR=0 |gf_TYR=00 |ga_TYR=00
|win_FER=0 |draw_FER=0 |loss_FER=0 |gf_FER=00 |ga_FER=00
|win_LOU=0 |draw_LOU=0 |loss_LOU=0 |gf_LOU=00 |ga_LOU=00
|name_FER=File:Colours of Fermanagh.svg {{GG|Fermanagh|hurling}}
|name_DON=File:Colours of Donegal.svg {{GG|Donegal|hurling}}
|name_TYR=File:Colours of Tyrone.svg {{GG|Tyrone|hurling}}
|name_ROS=File:Colours of Roscommon.svg {{GG|Roscommon|hurling}}
|name_ARM=File:Colours of Armagh.svg {{GG|Armagh|hurling}}
|name_WIC=File:Colours of Wicklow.svg {{GG|Wicklow|hurling}}
|name_LOU=File:Colours of Louth.svg {{GG|Louth|hurling}}
|res_col_header=Q
|result1=F
|result2=F
|result6=R
|result7=R
|col_F=green1 |text_F=Advance to NHL Division 3 Final and
promotion to 2027 NHL Division 2
|col_R=red1 |text_R=Relegation to 2027 NHL Division 4
|winpoints=2
|drawpoints=1
|losspoints=0
|status_text_P=Promoted and advance to divisional final
|status_text_R=Relegated
}}
=Matches=
=Division 3 Final=
{{GAAmatchbox
| date = March/April 2026
| time =
| round =
| team1 = First-placed team
| score1 =
| score2 =
| team2 = Second-placed team
| goals1 =
| points1 =
| goals2 =
| points2 =
| HT =
| location =
| venue =
| referee =
| attendance =
| report =
| TV =
}}
Division 4
=Table=
|section=Division 4
|source=[http://www.gaa.ie/hurling/hurling-league-roinn-4/tables GAA.ie]
|for_against_style=points
|class_rules=Tiebreakers
|team6=MON |team5=CAV |team1= SLI|team7=WAR |team3=LEI |team4=LON |team2=LAN
|update=future |start_date= January 2026
|win_LON=0 |draw_LON=0 |loss_LON=0 |gf_LON=00 |ga_LON=00
|win_MON=0 |draw_MON=0 |loss_MON=0 |gf_MON=00 |ga_MON=00
|win_WAR=0 |draw_WAR=0 |loss_WAR=0 |gf_WAR=00 |ga_WAR=00
|win_LAN=0 |draw_LAN=0 |loss_LAN=0 |gf_LAN=00 |ga_LAN=00
|win_LEI=0 |draw_LEI=0 |loss_LEI=0 |gf_LEI=00 |ga_LEI=00
|win_SLI=0 |draw_SLI=0 |loss_SLI=0 |gf_SLI=00 |ga_SLI=00
|win_CAV=0 |draw_CAV=0 |loss_CAV=0 |gf_CAV=00 |ga_CAV=00
|name_SLI=File:Colours of Sligo.svg {{GG|Sligo|hurling}}
|name_CAV=File:Colours of Cavan.svg {{GG|Cavan|hurling}}
|name_LON=File:Colours of Longford.svg {{GG|Longford|hurling}}
|name_MON=File:Colours of Monaghan.svg {{GG|Monaghan|hurling}}
|name_WAR=File:Colours of Warwickshire.svg {{GG|Warwickshire|hurling}}
|name_LAN=File:Colours of Tipperary.svg {{GG|Lancashire|hurling}}
|name_LEI=File:Colours of Leitrim.svg {{GG|Leitrim|hurling}}
|res_col_header=Q
|result1=F
|result2=F
|col_F=green1 |text_F=Advance to NHL Division 4 Final and
promotion to 2027 NHL Division 3
|winpoints=2
|drawpoints=1
|losspoints=0
|status_text_P=Promoted and advance to divisional final
|status_text_R=Relegated
}}
=Matches=
=Division 4 Final=
{{GAAmatchbox
| date = March/April 2026
| time =
| round =
| team1 = First-placed team
| score1 =
| score2 =
| team2 = Second-placed team
| goals1 =
| points1 =
| goals2 =
| points2 =
| HT =
| location =
| venue =
| referee =
| attendance =
| report =
| TV =
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{National Hurling Leagues|state=expanded}}
{{GAA 2026|state=expanded}}