By Williamstown Media
Williamstown Football Club fans can officially start planning ahead, with the AFL today confirming the fixtures for the 2026 Smithy’s VFL season and 2026 VFLW season.
The fixture release includes the full schedule for Rounds 1–13 of the Smithy’s VFL competition and Rounds 1–6 of the VFLW season, including confirmed match times and venues.
Match-ups for the remainder of both seasons have also been announced, with dates, times and venues to be confirmed later in the year once the corresponding rounds of the AFL fixture are finalised.
The Smithy’s VFL season will begin on Friday, March 20, while the VFLW competition will move into a new season window, with Round 1 set for Saturday, May 16.
The updated VFLW calendar will see the final three rounds of the home-and-away season overlap with the opening three rounds of the NAB AFLW season, creating further opportunities for AFLW-listed players to feature at state league level.
Key 2026 Competition Updates
A major headline for the 2026 season is the introduction of Tasmania Football Club, who will compete in both the VFL and VFLW competitions as the club continues preparations for its entry into the AFL and AFLW.
The competition will also welcome St Kilda back into the VFL as a standalone team for the first time since 2000, following the conclusion of its alignment with Sandringham at the end of the 2025 season.
Smithy’s VFL – 2026 Season Overview
The Smithy’s VFL season will begin across the weekend of March 20–22, with the competition again featuring 21 rounds, with each club to play 18 matches and receive three byes.
With Tasmania and St Kilda joining the league, the competition expands to 22 teams across Australia’s eastern seaboard.
The top 10 teams at the conclusion of the home-and-away season will qualify for finals, with the Wildcard Finals to be played on the weekend of August 22–23, before the season culminates in the Smithy’s VFL Grand Final on the weekend of September 19–20.
Key Smithy’s VFL Fixture Highlights
- Williamstown will again be part of a strong standalone club schedule, with multiple matches against fellow traditional rivals
- Four matches scheduled across the competition on Good Friday (Round 3)
- Four matches scheduled on ANZAC Day (Round 5)
- The VFL season will pause for the annual VFL vs SANFL State Game, to be played during Gather Round on Saturday, April 11 at Glenelg’s Stratarama Stadium
- Finals to commence with Wildcard Finals on August 22–23
- Grand Final scheduled for September 19–20
VFLW – 2026 Season Overview
Williamstown’s VFLW campaign will take place in a new season window, with the home-and-away season running from May through September.
The VFLW competition will consist of 16 rounds, with each club playing 14 matches and receiving two byes.
The top six teams will qualify for finals, with the finals series moving to a three-week format, beginning on the weekend of September 5–6.
The VFLW Grand Final will be played on the same weekend as the Smithy’s VFL Grand Final: September 19–20.
Key VFLW Fixture Highlights
- Round 1 locked in for Saturday, May 16
- Tasmania joins the VFLW competition for the first time, increasing the league to 13 teams
- The final three rounds of the VFLW season will overlap with the opening three rounds of the NAB AFLW season
- The VFLW State Team will again represent the ‘Big V’ against SANFL Women’s during Gather Round on Saturday, April 11
- Finals series to commence September 5–6
Broadcast & Streaming
All matches across both the 2026 Smithy’s VFL and 2026 VFLW seasons will be streamed live and free via AFL.com.au, the AFL Live Official App, and the VFL App.
Live scores and match stats will also be available through these platforms, with the updated VFL App now available to download.
Ticketing
Where Smithy’s VFL matches are ticketed, entry prices are:
- Adults: $10
- Concession: $5
- Kids under 15: Free
AFL ticketing prices apply for VFL matches played as curtain-raisers or curtain-closers to AFL matches.
Entry to VFLW matches will remain free. For venues hosting VFL and VFLW double-headers, entry fees will apply after half-time of the VFLW match if played first.
VFL vs SANFL State Games Return
The VFL and SANFL rivalry will continue in 2026, with a representative double-header locked in for Saturday, April 11 at Glenelg’s Stratarama Stadium during Gather Round.
Both the men’s and women’s State Games will feature as part of South Australia’s annual week of football festivities.
