The best of the VFL and SANFL 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 Saturday, April 11.
The women’s match will take place from 12:00pm ACST, followed by the men’s match from 2:30pm ACST.
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 Smithy’s 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.
Next year’s fourth edition of Gather Round… A Festival of Footy will take place in South Australia from Thursday, April 9 through to Sunday, April 12.
No matches will be played across the Smithy’s VFL that weekend to ensure the best players are available to represent the ‘Big V’, with a competition bye to be scheduled following Round 3.
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 NAB AFLW competition. The opening round of the 2026 VFLW home and away season will be played the weekend of May 16-17.
Only VFL and VFLW-listed players will be eligible to represent the Smithy’s VFL and VFLW State Teams. Players who feature on AFL and AFLW lists for the 2026 season will be ineligible.
Five players who have represented the Smithy’s VFL State Team across the past two seasons have gone on to be added to AFL lists, while four members of this year’s VFLW State Team were elevated to AFLW lists for the 2025 NAB AFLW season.
AFL Head of State Leagues Jennie Loughnan said she was looking forward to seeing the Smithy’s 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.
“I would like to thank the SANFL for their collaboration to continue the fierce tradition of representative football and acknowledge our VFL and VFLW clubs for their ongoing support.”
More information on team selection, coaching appointments, ticketing and broadcast arrangements will be confirmed in due course.
2026 State Game – Women’s
SANFLW vs VFLW
Saturday, April 11
12:00pm local / 12:30pm AEST
Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg
2026 State Game – Men’s
SANFL vs VFL
Saturday, April 11
2:30pm local / 3:00pm AEST
Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg
