Initially played as a knock-out competition, the championship currently uses a double elimination format whereby each team is guaranteed at least two games.

The Championship has almost always being played using a knockout type format, with the exception being in 2022 and 2023 when a first round group phase was used to produce 8 quarter-finalists.

Note 1: Kenmare District no longer enter a divisional team so their affiliated clubs play for East Kerry.

Note 2: Tralee no longer enter a divisional team so their affiliated clubs play for St Brendan’s.

The most successful team of each decade, judged by number of Kerry Senior Football Championship titles, is as follows: Top ten longest gaps between successive championship titles: