The best of the Victorian and South Australian National football leagues will battle it out again in 2026, with a blockbuster double-header locked in at Glenelg’s Stratarama Stadium during Gather Round.
The 2026 state games will feature as part of South Australia’s annual week of football festivities, with both women’s and men’s representatives clashes to be held on 11 April.
The women’s match will take place from 12pm followed with the men at 2.30pm.
The Big V will be looking to replicate its 2025 heroics, where it produced two wins over the Croweaters on enemy territory.
The VFLW state team claimed a historic 27-point victory over the SANFLW in its inaugural representative match, which was played under lights at Alberton Oval.
The following afternoon the VFL state team tasted success over the SANFL for the first time since 2002 with an 11-point triumph at Tanunda Recreation Park in the Barossa Valley.
No matches will be played across the VFL that weekend to ensure the best players are available to represent the Big V, with a competition bye to be scheduled following round three.
The women’s state game will again be played prior to the VFLW season commencing.
As announced in November, the 2026 VFLW campaign will move to a new season window to allow greater alignment with the AFLW competition.
The opening round of the 2026 VFLW home and away season will be played the weekend of 16-17 May.
Only VFL and VFLW-listed players will be eligible to represent the Victorian state teams.. Players who feature on AFL and AFLW lists for the 2026 season will be ineligible.
AFL state leagues head Jennie Loughnan said she was looking forward to seeing the VFL and VFLW State Teams don the Big V again in 2026.
“After the success of the 2025 representative campaign, we cannot wait to watch the best players from the Smithy’s VFL and VFLW come together to take on the SANFL during Gather Round,” Loughnan said.
“It was a great thrill to watch history made this year with the VFLW state team winning its first-ever representative game and the Smithy’s VFL state team beating its biggest rival for the first time in 23 years.
“To have both women’s and men’s matches being played on the same day in 2026 will make for an even greater showcase and we look forward to having plenty of supporters packed into Stratarama Stadium to cheer on both Big V teams.”
