The VFL season is set to kick off on the weekend of March 21-22, 2026, coinciding with Round 2 of the AFL season.
The league made the announcement today, with the 22 clubs to play 18 games in a 21-round home and away season, before a five-week finals series culminating on Sunday, September 20 – AFL preliminary final weekend.
The timing of the 16-round VFLW season has changed, with the 2026 campaign to kick off on May 16, allowing for greater crossover with the AFLW season.
In 2025, the home and away season was wrapped up by the first weekend of August, which will be pushed back to the last weekend of August next year.
The VFLW finals format has also changed to become a three-week series.
The top two teams on the ladder will have a bye during the elimination finals weekend and will advance directly to the preliminary finals, where the first-placed team will play the lower-ranked elimination final winner, while the second-placed team will take on the higher-ranked elimination final winner.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 15: Jenna Richardson of Hawthorn and Georgia Nanscawen of Essendon compete during the round 12 VFLW match between the Box Hill Hawks and the Essendon Bombers at Box Hill City Oval on May 15, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
“We are pleased to confirm season dates for the 2026 Smithy’s VFL and VFLW seasons and provide our clubs and fans with certainty prior to the release of fixtures,” AFL Head of State League competitions Jennie Loughnan said.
“After an extensive assessment of the VFLW season timing and with the NAB AFLW timeslot locked in for the foreseeable future, the decision to push back the VFLW season dates ensures more crossover with the NAB AFLW competition.
“We believe this will create a host of benefits for our clubs, players and fans. This includes maximising the opportunity for AFLW-listed players to play in the VFLW and allowing clubs to build on the match-day experience by hosting double-headers.
“Season dates for the Smithy’s VFL remain consistent with previous seasons, with the home and away season to commence in late March and conclude with the Smithy’s VFL Grand Final, which will again be played on the AFL preliminary final weekend.”
The 2026 season will feature two new teams, Tasmania and St Kilda VFL, with the Northern Bullants not featuring after its VFL licence was not renewed.
With season dates confirmed, the fixture build for the 2026 Smithy’s VFL and VFLW seasons will now commence.