The 2026/27 Energia All-Ireland League was officially launched at Energia Park yesterday, with significant structural changes across both the men’s and women’s competitions forming the backdrop to the new season.
Players from clubs across the league were joined by Energia’s Lorna Danaher and IRFU President Tony O’Beirne as the countdown began to the opening fixtures later this month.
The Men’s Energia All-Ireland League will get underway on Saturday, September 26th, with the Women’s competition beginning two weeks later on Saturday, October 10th.
This season marks an important change for both competitions following consultation between the IRFU, clubs, provinces, players and other stakeholders.
The Women’s All-Ireland League will move to a two-division structure, with Division 1A and Division 1B introduced for 2026/27.
The men’s competition will also change significantly, with the previous Divisions 2B and 2C replaced by Division 2BN and Division 2BS, creating North and South sections.
Reducing the long-distance travel required by clubs has been one motivation behind the change, with sustainability, player welfare, and the practical costs of competing nationally increasingly important considerations within the club game.
The season will conclude with another double-header at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, April 25th, featuring the finals of the Men’s Division 1A and Women’s Division 1A competitions.
Last season’s finals delivered titles for Clontarf in the men’s competition and UL Bohemian in the women’s.
Digital coverage will again play an important role in bringing the league to a wider audience.
A selection of games will stream free throughout the season on IrishRugby+, including newly promoted Enniskillen RFC against Rainey RFC in Men’s Division 2BN on the opening weekend.
The opening weekend of the women’s competition will feature reigning champions UL Bohemian away to Railway Union at Park Avenue as one of the games available to watch live.
“Energia has been a proud supporter of the All-Ireland League since 2019, and it has been fantastic to see the competition continue to grow and develop across both the men’s and women’s game,” said Lorna Danaher of Energia.
“The Energia All-Ireland League is at the heart of the club rugby calendar, bringing together players, supporters and communities across the country every weekend.
“With new structures across both competitions for the 2026/27 season, we’re looking forward to another season of great rugby and to continuing our support of clubs and players across all four provinces.”
“The Energia All-Ireland League has a hugely important role to play within Irish Rugby, providing a competitive environment for clubs, players and coaches while bringing supporters and communities together every weekend,” added IRFU President Tony O’Beirne.
“The changes to the men’s and women’s competitions this season represent an important step in the continued development of the league.”
Sport for Business Perspective
The structural changes introduced for 2026/27 address some of the less visible commercial and operational pressures facing clubs competing at national level.
Travel is not only a sustainability issue. It is also a considerable cost in transport, accommodation, volunteer time, and player availability.
Creating North and South sections within the lower men’s divisions should reduce some of that burden while retaining the competition’s national character.
The restructuring of the women’s competition is also another marker of its continued development, creating clearer competitive levels at a time when increasing participation, visibility and playing standards across the women’s game remain strategic priorities.
The sponsorship continues to give Energia a strong national footprint across community rugby.
The company’s involvement stretches from the weekly club game through to a showcase finals day at the Aviva Stadium, while IrishRugby+ gives the competition and its sponsor an increasingly important digital audience beyond those attending matches.
Energia and the IRFU are full members of Sport for Business.
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Image Credit: Energia
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