The final, currently held on the first Sunday in June, serves as the culmination of a series of games played during the summer months, and the results determine which team receives the James Nowlan Cup.

At the GAA's annual Congress in April 1963, the Kerry County Board introduced a successful motion in favour of extending the provincial championship to All-Ireland level.

Antrim and Wexford contested the very first championship match on Sunday 2 August 1964 at Casement Park, Belfast.

The inaugural All-Ireland final took place on 4 October 1964, with Tiobraid Árann defeating Loch Garman to take the title.

[1] In 2008 a radical motion was brought before a special Congress in an effort to combat player burnout.

After leaving the Munster Championship in 1970, Galway became the only credible team in Connacht and was essentially given an automatic pass to the All-Ireland semi-final every year.

This changed following a Central Council motion to alter the format of the championship was endorsed by a Special Congress on 30 September 2017.

The original recommendation would have ended All-Ireland semi-finals as the Munster winners were set to face off against the Leinster victors from next year.

However, Cork argued that they should be retained with the Munster champions taking on the runners-up in Leinster and vice versa.

At the GAA Congress on 24 February 2018, the age limit of the championship was changed to twenty, following a successful motion by the Offaly County Board.

The "back door system" for the defeated provincial finalists was also permanently abolished, having been suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stadium attendances are a significant source of regular income for the GAA and for the teams involved.

Awarded for the first time in 1967, a spectacular cast bronze trophy modelled on the ancient Celtic cross found at the rock of Cashel in Co Tipperary, it is a tall narrow and quiet heavy trophy with a square bronze base holding a cross depicting the crucifixion of Jesus.

[10] In accordance with GAA rules, the Central Council awards up to twenty-four gold medals to the winners of the All-Ireland final.