The 2026 Derry Senior Football Championship is the 105th edition of Derry GAA's premier gaelic football tournament for the top clubs. The sixteen teams who qualified for the 2026 senior championship (15 Senior League teams and 1 Intermediate League team) are explained in the 'Competition Format' section below.
Newbridge are the defending champions after winning their 11th Derry SFC title against Magherafelt.
The draw for round 1 of the championship was made on 22 July 2026.
Competition Format The 2026 Senior Championship format is the same as it was in the 2025 Senior Championship. The format is as follows:
Round 1 - Open Draw: 8 vs 8 Round 2A - Round 1 Winner vs Round 1 Winner (Open Draw) Winners of Round 2A straight into quarter final (Pot 1) Round 2B - Round 1 Loser vs Round 1 Loser (Open Draw) Losers of Round 2B into Relegation Playoff Semi Final (Open Draw) Round 3 - Round 2A losers v Round 2B Winners (Pot 2) Quarter Final - Pot 1 v Pot 2 Semi Final - Open Draw Final
Team Changes The following teams have changed division since the 2025 championship season:
To S.F.C. Promoted from 2025 Derry I.F.C.
Glenullin - (Intermediate Champions)
From S.F.C Relegated from 2025 Derry S.F.C.
Drumsurn
Participating Teams The clubs competing in the 2026 Derry S.F.C. are: ClubLocationManager(s)2025 Championship Position2026 Championship PositionLeagueChampionship Titles (Pre 2026)Last Championship Title (Pre 2026) BallinascreenBallinascreenRelegation PlayoffRelegation Semi-FinalistSenior League41973 BallinderryBallinderryRelegation PlayoffQuarter-FinalistSenior League132013 BanagherFeeny / Park AreaQuarter-FinalistRelegation Semi-FinalistIntermediate League0— BellaghyBellaghyQuarter-FinalistQuarter-FinalistSenior League212005 DungivenDungivenRound 3Round 3Senior League71997 FaughanvaleGreysteelRound 3Relegated to IntermediateSenior League0— GlenMagheraSemi-FinalistSenior League32023 GlenullinTermonfeckinI.F.C ChampionsRound 3Senior League32007 KilreaKilreaRound 3Quarter-FinalistSenior League0— LaveyLaveyQuarter-FinalistQuarter-FinalistSenior League91993 LoupThe LoupRound 3Relegation FinalistSenior League0— MagherafeltMagherafeltRunners-UpSenior League62019 NewbridgeNewbridgeChampionsSenior League122025 SlaughtneilSlaughtneilSemi-FinalistSenior League62020 SteelstownDerryQuarter-FinalistRound 3Senior League0— SwatraghSwatraghRelegation PlayoffRound 3Senior League0—
Round 1-3
Round 1 Draw for round 1 of the championship was made on 22 July 2026.
Round 2 Draw for round 2 of the championship was made on 30 August 2026.
Round 2A
Round 2B
Round 3 Draw for round 3 of the championship was made on 9 September 2026. Relegation Playoffs
Relegation Semi-Finals Draw for the relegation semi-finals was made on 9 September 2026. Relegation Final
Knockout Stage
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final
References