The Irish FA Challenge Cup Committee has confirmed the competition structure for the 2026/27 Clearer Water Irish Cup following the close of entries for the new season.
A total of 126 clubs have entered this season's competition, with the Committee approving a revised competition format for the 2026/27 campaign.
Under the new structure, regional intermediate clubs will enter the competition in Round 1, while NAFL National Conference League clubs will join in Round 2. Senior clubs will enter at Round 6, when the competition reaches its latter stages.
The fixture dates for the 2026/27 competition are as follows:
Round 1
Saturday 8 August 2026
Round 2 (NAFL National Conference League clubs enter)
Saturday 12 September 2026
Round 3
Saturday 24 October 2026
Round 4
Saturday 21 November 2026
Round 5
Saturday 5 December 2026
Round 6 (Senior clubs enter)
Friday 8 January 2027
Saturday 9 January 2027
Round 7
Friday 12 February 2027
Saturday 13 February 2027
Quarter-Finals
Friday 12 March 2027
Saturday 13 March 2027
Semi-Finals
Friday 2 April 2027
Saturday 3 April 2027
Final
Saturday 1 May 2027
The Committee has also approved a new Competition Rule that provides the flexibility to introduce Football Video Support (FVS) during the latter stages of the competition, should it decide to do so. Any decision on the implementation of FVS will be communicated to participating clubs in advance.
The updated Clearer Water Irish Cup Competition Rules and Fixture Calendar for the 2026/27 season are now available to view on the Irish FA website.
The draw for Round 1 of the 2026/27 Clearer Water Irish Cup will take place on Monday 6 July 2026 and will be published on the Irish FA website from 7.00pm.
