Explained - The SSE Airtricity Men's First Division Play-Offs!
With the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division season approaching its conclusion, attention is turning towards the Play-Offs, where four clubs will battle for the opportunity to earn promotion to the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division.
The Play-Offs provide a second route to the top flight for the teams finishing behind the automatic promotion place which was won by Cork City this year, with a series of high-stakes fixtures determining which club advances to face SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division opposition.
Here is everything you need to know about how the 2026 Play-Offs will work, the teams in contention and what to expect from this year's series.
How does the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division Play-Off system work?
The SSE Airtricity Men's First Division Play-Offs involve the four teams that finish between second and fifth in the league table at the end of the regular season.
The teams compete in two-legged Semi-Final ties deciding which sides progress to the Play-Off Final.
The Semi-Final pairings are determined by league position, with second place facing fifth place and third place meeting fourth place. Each tie is played over two legs, with the winners decided on aggregate score.
The two semi-final winners then meet in a single-match Play-Off Final at a neutral venue to be announced. The winner of that contest advances to the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division Promotion/Relegation Play-Off, where they face the team that finishes ninth in the top flight.
The format ensures that the teams finishing highest in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division retain an advantage through their semi-final seeding, while the knockout nature of the competition means that every match carries significant consequences.
When are the 2026 Play-Offs taking place?
The 2026 SSE Airtricity Men's First Division Play-Off Semi-Finals are scheduled for Saturday, October 24, and Tuesday, October 27, with the Play-Off Final taking place on Sunday, November 1.
The SSE Airtricity Men's First Division regular season concludes tomorrow with so much still to play for. Bray Wanderers and UCD have confirmed their Play-Off spot while Kerry, Longford Town, Cobh Ramblers and Athlone Town battle for the final spots.
The SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division Promotion / Relegation Play-Off is scheduled to take place the weekend ending Sunday, November 8 - although Waterford's run to the Club Orange Men's FAI Cup Final means this date is still to be confirmed with the Blues still looking to avoid the Play-Off.
Kerry host Cork City tomorrow with Longford Town meeting Athlone Town in the Midlands Derby while Cobh Ramblers travel to Limerick to face Treaty United.
Bray Wanderers make the long trip to Donegal while UCD visit Wexford as the final places are all up for grabs live on LOITV.
