31 counties played in the tournament (Kilkenny did not participate).

The competition began with a preliminary round game in Ulster on 25 May 2018, and ended with the final on 5 August 2018.

This rule was introduced to prevent player burnout and to allow the senior and under-20 championships to be scheduled in the same summer months with separate panels of players.

All-Ireland format The four provincial winners meet in two semi-finals, with the winners of those matches playing in the All-Ireland Under-20 Football Championship Final.

The winners receive the Danny Murphy Cup which was commissioned in 2018 in honour of the former Ulster Chief Executive Officer and Secretary.