By Quick answer: The 2026 Men’s FAI Cup Final is on Sunday 8 November 2026 at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, with an afternoon kick-off (listed at 3pm by Visit Dublin; confirm on FAI.ie). RTÉ is broadcasting the final. The winners enter the first qualifying round of the 2027/28 UEFA Europa League.
When is the FAI Cup Final 2026?
- Date: Sunday 8 November 2026
- Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin (the final has been staged there every year since 2010)
- Kick-off: afternoon, with Visit Dublin listing a 3pm start
- Broadcast: RTÉ, which is showing a record number of 2026 cup ties including both semi-finals and the final
Who reached the final?
Forty-four clubs entered the 2026 competition: all 20 League of Ireland clubs plus 24 non-league sides. The semi-final draw paired Bohemians with Waterford and Galway United with Derry City, played in mid-October, and the two winners meet at the Aviva. Check FAI.ie for the finalists, team news and the confirmed kick-off.
Who won last year?
Shamrock Rovers beat Cork City 2-0 at the Aviva on 9 November 2025 in front of 35,252 supporters, completing the club’s first league-and-cup double since 1987. Rovers lead the competition’s all-time list with 26 titles.
What is at stake?
Beyond the trophy, the winners earn a place in the first qualifying round of the 2027/28 UEFA Europa League. For clubs outside the top four of the league, the cup is often the most direct route into Europe.
The same weekend: promotion and relegation
The SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division Promotion/Relegation play-off is scheduled for the week ending Sunday 8 November. The fixture decides whether a Premier Division side keeps its place for 2027 or a First Division club is promoted.
How to get tickets and travel
Tickets are sold through the FAI’s official channels. Allow extra time for DART to Lansdowne Road and check stadium bag and entry guidance on the day. If you are travelling from outside Dublin, book early, as cup final weekend is busy.
Key takeaways
- Sunday 8 November, Aviva Stadium, afternoon kick-off.
- RTÉ coverage; Europa League qualifying place for the winners.
- Shamrock Rovers are 2025 holders and 26-time winners.
FAQs
When is the FAI Cup Final 2026?
Sunday 8 November 2026 at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
What time does the FAI Cup Final kick off?
It is an afternoon kick-off. Visit Dublin lists 3pm; confirm the time on FAI.ie.
Who won the FAI Cup in 2025?
Shamrock Rovers, 2-0 against Cork City, for the club’s 26th title.
What does the FAI Cup winner get?
A place in the first qualifying round of the 2027/28 UEFA Europa League.
How many teams enter the FAI Cup?
Forty-four: 20 League of Ireland clubs and 24 non-league clubs.
Sources: FAI.ie, Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup second-round announcement; League of Ireland key dates 2026; Visit Dublin event listing; Wikipedia, 2025 and 2026 FAI Cup; Irish Examiner, FAI Cup semi-final draw.
