The 2026 NPLM Victoria season is just around the corner and is set to be a season for the ages with 14 teams set to contest for the state’s biggest prize in a 26 round season.
For the first time in NPL Victoria history, both the Men and Women seasons will kick-off simultaneously on Friday, February 13.
Victorian NPL clubs’ recent Australia Cup and Australian Championship successes have made the league stronger and the competition fiercer than ever.
The NPL Victoria Men’s season kicks off with reigning champions Heidelberg United hosting Green Gully, while Hume City takes on Altona Magic.
The rest of the opening round is headlined by Avondale facing South Melbourne and Oakleigh hosting Preston in an Elimination Final rematch. Newly promoted sides Caroline Springs George Cross and Bentleigh Greens will also meet for their first clash of the season
There’s been plenty of movement across the NPL Victoria Men’s league ahead of 2026, with some of the competition’s biggest stars set to wear new colours.
Preston has signed former Avondale players Luca Tevere and Cian Cuba, alongside Jamal Ali and Scott Galloway. Hume City have acquired former Western United full-back Khoder Kaddour, while South Melbourne has secured 2025 Bill Fleming Medallist Yuki Uchida from the Thunder.
Reigning champions Heidelberg United have also strengthened their squad, bringing in Ciaran Bramwell from Knights, Marcus Humbert from Melbourne City, and Angus Taylor from Hobart.
2026 NPLM Victoria Off-Season Central
This season, fans of the NPLM can look forward to the return of Team of the Week, Goal of the Week, Player of the Month, and the introduction of the Rising Star monthly nominees.
The Rising Star monthly nominees are determined by the player who receives the most commentary votes each month. These monthly winners then form the shortlist for the Young Player of the Year (U23) award.
2026 NPLM Victoria Awards
Gold Medal: (2025 winner: Joe Guest (Oakleigh Cannons FC) Players’ Player: (2025 winner: Bul Juach (Heidelberg United FC) Golden Boot: (2025 winner Bul Juach (Heidelberg United FC) Goalkeeper of the Year: (2025 winner: Yaren Sozer (Heidelberg United FC) Jimmy Rooney Medal: (2025 winner: Max Bisetto (Heidelberg United FC) Coach of the Year: (2025 winner: John Anastadiadis (Heidelberg United FC) Goal of the Year: (2025 winner: Luka Kolic (Melbourne Victory FC) Bill Fleming Media Award: (2025 winners: Joe Guest (Oakleigh Cannons FC) & Yuki Uchida (Dandenong Thunder FC) Rising StarTeam of the Season