2026 Hostplus SANFLW League Fixture Released
The milestone 10th year of the Hostplus SANFL Women’s League in 2026 will see some major changes, including a later start to the season, to get underway on Saturday, April 19 – the week after AFL Gather Round.
In an exciting first, the SANFLW competition will also feature a series of showcase rounds, in which one venue will host multiple SANFLW games on that day, creating a festival-like atmosphere.
SANFL Competitions Lead Daniel Joyce said the introduction of the showcase round reflects SANFL’s commitment to continually evolve the SANFLW competition.
“This initiative is part of our broader strategy to continue strengthening women’s football in South Australia,” Joyce said.
“The showcase rounds will help us build momentum, grow audiences, and ensure the SANFLW remains one of the leading women’s state league competitions in the country.”
While the season kicks off later, the first taste of SANFLW action in 2026 will begin with the highly anticipated state clash with the VFLW on Saturday, 11 April over AFL Gather Round in a double header with the men’s state game.
SA will also once again head to Perth to take on the WAFLW on Saturday, May 16, with the SANFLW state team holding a 2-0 record over the Sandgropers.
New senior coaches will debut at Central District, Norwood, Sturt and West Adelaide in Round 1 to kick off the 2026 season, with a host of new, and seasoned players alike, set to make their debuts across all eight clubs.
Two games will be played at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval in Round One, with Central District taking on North Adelaide from 12pm, and 2025 minor premiers Woodville-West Torrens hosting Sturt at 2:15pm.
South Adelaide will host the Redlegs in an exciting twilight Round 1 clash at Magain Stadium, as West Adelaide also head down south to tackle Glenelg at 2:15pm, with both teams looking to return to the major round after disappointing 2025 campaigns.
All eyes will be on North Adelaide v Norwood at Revo Fitness Oval in Round 2, with former Norwood captain Sophie Armitstead coming up against her old side in the red and white.
Each club will get the opportunity to have a taste of Anzac Day footy, with Sturt and Norwood also doing battle on the King’s Birthday Holiday Monday at 9.20am at Thomas Farms Oval as a curtain raiser to the men’s game later that day.
South Adelaide will hit the road in Round 4, playing a standalone clash against Sturt at the Strathalbyn Oval on the weekend of Saturday, May 9, in the Panthers’ regional zone.
Fans will have to wait until Round 6 for the anticipated grand final rematch, with South Adelaide tackling Woodville-West Torrens at Thomas Farms Oval, as part of the second showcase round.
A three-week finals campaign will begin on the weekend of Saturday, August 15, culminating in the Hostplus SANFLW League Grand Final on the weekend of Saturday, August 29, at a venue to be confirmed.
All Hostplus SANFLW League matches will be streamed live and on-demand via the League’s streaming platform – SANFL Now
2026 SANFLW Fixture Highlights
Round 1 kicks off on Saturday, April 19
Showcase rounds, in which one venue will host multiple SANFLW games in that round
2025 Grand Final rematch between South Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens in Round 6 at Thomas Farms Oval
A three-week finals series commencing on August 15, culminating in the Hostplus SANFLW League Grand Final being played on the weekend of August 29
SANFLW v VFLW match returns for a second year on Saturday, April 11, as part of Gather Round.
SANFLW v WAFLW back for its third year, this time in Western Australia on Saturday, May 16.
Strathalbyn Oval to host South Adelaide v Sturt in Round 4 on the weekend of Saturday, May 9, in the Panthers’ regional zone.

