The AFL has today confirmed the fixture for 2026 VFLW elimination finals.
Saturday, September 5
Second Elimination Final: Carlton vs Port Melbourne
IKON Park, 1:05pm AEST
Broadcaster: AFL.com.au and AFL Live Official App
Sunday, September 6
First Elimination Final: Collingwood vs Western Bulldogs
Victoria Park, 10:05am AEST
Broadcaster: AFL.com.au and AFL Live Official App
Venue availability and host club preferences were determining factors when scheduling match times for both VFLW elimination finals.
Fourth-placed Carlton hosts fifth-place Port Melbourne at IKON Park on Saturday, September 5 in the second elimination final.
Both teams ended the home and away season with a 9-5 record, with the Blues finishing higher on the ladder courtesy of a superior percentage.
Carlton returns to finals action for the first time since 2023, while Port Melbourne – who won the 2023 premiership – is back in the finals after narrowly missing in 2025.
Third-placed Collingwood hosts sixth-placed Western Bulldogs at Victoria Park on Sunday, September 6 in the first elimination final.
The match-up features two teams who have finished as VFLW runners-up across the past three seasons. The Magpies were beaten in the 2025 and 2023 grand finals, while the Bulldogs were defeated in the 2024 premiership decider.
The two elimination final winners will advance to the preliminary finals next week.
Minor premier Williamstown and two-time reigning premier North Melbourne Werribee will each host a preliminary final after finishing first and second on the ladder respectively.
The lower placed elimination final winner will take on first-placed Williamstown in the first preliminary final, while the higher place elimination final winner will take on North Melbourne Werribee in the second preliminary final.
AFL Head of State League Competitions Jennie Loughnan said: “The battle at the top of the 2026 VFLW ladder has been enthralling right across the home and away season and we can’t wait to see what the VFLW Finals Series has in store.
“We congratulate all six clubs who have qualified for the finals and wish them the very best of luck as they chase premiership glory.
“On behalf of the AFL, I would like to thank all clubs, players, umpires, venues and our broadcast and commercial partners for their outstanding support of the VFLW throughout the 2026 season.”
VFLW FINALS SERIES STRUCTURE
Elimination Finals
Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6
First Elimination Final: Collingwood (3rd) vs Western Bulldogs (6th)
Second Elimination Final: Carlton (4th) vs Port Melbourne (5th)
Preliminary Finals
Weekend of September 12-13
First Preliminary Final: Williamstown (1st) vs Lower placed Elimination Final winner
Second Preliminary Final: North Melbourne Werribee (2nd) vs Higher placed Elimination Final winner
Grand Final
Sunday, September 20
Grand Final: Winner of First Preliminary Final vs Winner of Second Preliminary Final
Please click here to view the 2026 VFLW Finals Series graphic.
TICKETING
Entry to both VFLW elimination finals is free.
BROADCAST
All matches in the 2026 VFLW Finals Series will be broadcast live and free on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.
FINALS VENUES
The higher placed team on the VFLW ladder at the conclusion of the home and away season has the option to host elimination and preliminary finals, subject to the club’s home venue meeting venue infrastructure requirements.
The 2026 VFLW Grand Final will be played at IKON Park on Sunday, September 20 as a double header with the 2026 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final.
