Galway and Kilkenny to meet in Leinster SHC opening round

Kildare will make their Leinster SHC debut when they host Wexford. 

Kilkenny defeated Galway in this year's Leinster SHC final. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

The 2026 Leinster senior hurling championship will commence with a repeat of this year’s Leinster final between Galway and Kilkenny.

Champions Kilkenny will head to Salthill in April in a reverse of last year’s first round game in UPMC Nowlan Park. Also in Round 1, Joe McDonagh Cup champions Kildare mark their debut in the Leinster SHC group format with the visit of Wexford to Newbridge and Offaly entertain Dublin in Tullamore.

In the final round, Dublin host The Cats having faced Galway in Parnell Park in their concluding game this past season. Galway travel to Wexford while Kildare and Offaly clash in Cedral St Conleth’s Park.

2026 Leinster SHC 

Round 1 (April 18/19) – Galway v Kilkenny; Kildare v Wexford; Offaly v Dublin.

Round 2 (April 25/26) – Kilkenny v Wexford; Galway v Offaly; Dublin v Kildare.

Round 3 (May 9/10) – Offaly v Kilkenny; Kildare v Galway; Wexford v Dublin.

Round 4 (May 16/17) – Kilkenny v Kildare; Offaly v Wexford; Galway v Dublin.

Round 5 (May 23/24) – Dublin v Kilkenny; Wexford v Galway; Kildare v Offaly.

Final (Saturday, June 6).