The following is a summary of Down county football team's 2026 season.

Competitions

During pre-season Down competed in the McKenna Cup, with the main season consisting of the National Football League Division 3, the Ulster Championship and either the Tailteann Cup or the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.

Dr McKenna Cup

The draw for the 2026 Dr McKenna Cup took place on 2 December 2025.

Table

Fixtures

National Football League Division 3

Official fixtures for the 2026 National League were announced on 4 December 2025.

Fixtures

DateRoundHomeScoreAwayGroundRefSaturday 24 JanuaryGroupDown2-19 v 2-14ClarePairc Esler, NewrySaturday 31 JanuaryGroupLimerick1-14 v 0-18DownPáirc na nGael, LimerickSaturday 14 FebruaryGroupDown2-15 v 1-15WestmeathPairc Esler, NewrySunday 22 February GroupWexford1-19 v 1-29DownWexford Park, WexfordSaturday 28 FebruaryGroupDown1-18 v 1-15FermanaghPairc Esler, NewrySunday 15 MarchGroupSligo0-21 v 2-25DownMarkievicz Park, SligoSunday 22 MarchGroupDown0-24 v 2-22LaoisPairc Esler, NewrySaturday 28th MarchFinalDown0-21 v 0-18WexfordCroke Park, Dublin

Table

Reports

Ulster Senior Football Championship

The draw for the 2026 Ulster Championship took place on 27 November 2025.

Fixtures

Bracket

Tailteann Cup

Down will compete in the Tailteann Cup for the fourth time, and will be the only former champions in the 2026 competition. The draw for the 2026 Tailteann Cup took place on 4 May 2026.

Fixtures

Bracket

References