All Ireland League 2026/27

The Energia All-Ireland League stands as the second tier of the rugby union pyramid in Ireland. It represents the highest level of amateur rugby on the island. The competition was inaugurated in the 1990–91 season by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU). This initiative followed nearly five years of consultation with clubs. Prior to its establishment, there was no national league structure. Competition was organized solely by the four provincial unions: Connacht, Leinster, Munster, and Ulster.

The league currently comprises 50 senior men's clubs divided into five divisions: 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, and 2C. Each division contains 10 teams. The season runs from mid-September to mid-April. The format involves a double round-robin within each division. In Division 1A, the top four teams enter a knockout play-off system to determine the champion. This format was reintroduced in 2015 after periods of table-topping determination. Promotion and relegation operate between all divisions. The bottom team in Divisions 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B is automatically relegated. The winners of Divisions 1B, 2A, 2B, and 2C are automatically promoted.

The league sits directly below the United Rugby Championship (URC). The URC is the professional tier featuring the four provincial unions and other international teams. While the URC is professional, the All-Ireland League is amateur. Division 1A clubs may field up to two professional players, though only one can be a forward. There is no direct promotion from the All-Ireland League to the URC. The league differs from provincial club championships as it serves as the national governing body's top amateur tier. Provincial leagues act as qualifiers for the lower All-Ireland League divisions.

St Mary's College is the current champion. They won the 2025–26 title by defeating Clontarf 46–31 in the final at the Aviva Stadium. Shannon is the most successful club with nine titles. This includes a record three consecutive wins from 1994–95 to 1996–97. Notable reforms include the expansion to four divisions in 1993–94. The split of Division 1 into 1A and 1B occurred in 2009–10. The current five-division structure was established in 2011–12.