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The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship of 1986 was the 100th staging of Ireland's premier hurling knock-out competition. Cork won the championship, beating Galway 4–13 to 2–15 in the final at Croke Park, Dublin.

Participating counties (5): Clare, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford

Quarter-final (1 match): This is a single match between the first two teams drawn from the province of Munster. One team is eliminated at this stage while the winners advance to the semi-finals.

Semi-finals (2 matches): The winner of the lone quarter-final joins the other three Munster teams to make up the semi-final pairings. Two teams are eliminated at this stage while the winners advance to the final.

Final (1 match): The winner of the two semi-finals contest this game. One team is eliminated at this stage while the winners advance to the All-Ireland semi-final.

Participating counties (6): Dublin, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford

Quarter-finals: (2 matches): These are two matches between the first four teams drawn from the province of Leinster. Two teams are eliminated at this stage while the winners advance to the semi-finals.

Semi-finals (2 matches): The winners of the two quarter-finals join the other two Leinster teams to make up the semi-final pairings. Two teams are eliminated at this stage while the winners advance to the final.

Final: (1 match) The winners of the two semi-finals contest this game. One team is eliminated at this stage while the winners advance to the All-Ireland semi-final.

Quarter-final (1 match): This is a single match between Galway and the winners of the All-Ireland 'B' championship. One team is eliminated at this stage while the winners advance to the semi-final where they play the Leinster champions.

Semi-finals (2 matches): The winners of the lone quarter-final join the Munster and Leinster champions and Antrim to make up the semi-final pairings. The provincial champions are kept apart in separate semi-finals. Two teams are eliminated at this stage while the winners advance to the final.

Final (1 match): The two winners of the semi-finals contest this game.

Qualified from the All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship

• Kerry

Regraded to the All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship

• London

Fourteen counties will compete in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship: one team from the Connacht Senior Hurling Championship, six teams in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, five teams in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship, one team from the Ulster Senior Hurling Championship and one team from the All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship.

County	Last provincial title	Last championship title	Position in 1985 Championship	Current championship
Antrim	1946	—		Ulster Senior Hurling Championship
Clare	1932	1914		Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Cork	1985	1984		Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Dublin	1961	1938		Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Galway	1922	1980		Connacht Senior Hurling Championship
Kerry	1891	1891		All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship
Kilkenny	1983	1983		Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Laois	1949	1915		Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Limerick	1981	1973		Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Offaly	1985	1985		Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Tipperary	1971	1971		Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Waterford	1963	1959		Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Westmeath	—	—		Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Wexford	1977	1968		Leinster Senior Hurling Championship

Quarter-Finals

Semi-Finals

Final

Cork

7-11

Antrim

1–24

Cork

4-13

Galway

2–15

Galway

4-12

Galway

4-24

Kilkenny

0–13

Kerry

1–03

Cork

Galway

• Hat-trick heroes:
  • First hat-trick of the championship: P. J. Cuddy for Laois against Offaly (Leinster semi-final)
  • Second hat-trick of the championship: Noel Lane for Galway against Kerry (All-Ireland quarter-final)
  • Third hat-trick of the championship: Jimmy Barry-Murphy for Cork against Antrim (All-Ireland semi-final)
• Widest winning margin: 30 points
  • Galway 4–24 : 1–3 Kerry (Leinster quarter-final)
• Most goals in a match: 8
  • Cork 7–11 : 1–24 Antrim (All-Ireland semi-final)
• Most points in a match: 39
  • Kilkenny 1–21 : 0–18 Wexford (Leinster quarter-final)
• Most goals by one team in a match: 7
  • Cork 7–11 : 1–24 Antrim (All-Ireland semi-final)
• Most goals scored by a losing team: 4
  • Laois 4–9 : 1–23 Offaly (Leinster semi-final)
• Most points scored by a winning team: 24
  • Galway 4–24 : 1–3 Kerry (Leinster quarter-final)
• Most points scored by a losing team: 24
  • Antrim 1–24 : 7–11 Cork (All-Ireland semi-final)