AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) is excited to announce the return of Representative Football, and for the first time ever, fans will experience NTFL All Star Saturday: a full day celebrating some of the Territory’s best football talent.
The event will be held on Saturday 24 January 2026 at TIO Stadium, positioned between Round 15 and 16 during the January long weekend bye. All Star Saturday will feature Men’s and Women’s All-Star matches, bringing together the NT’s top players from right across the NTFL competition, including those from non-Premier League clubs.
Under-18 Futures matches will showcase the Territory’s emerging talent, giving younger players exposure to high-performance football and an opportunity to progress through the representative pathway.
This year’s All-Star matches will introduce two new representative identities – the Heat and the Spears. The teams reflect the two strongest pathways into NT football:
The Heat: players with long-standing Territory connections, including NT-developed talent and those who have built their careers within the TIO NTFL competition.
The Spears: high-impact players who have joined the TIO NTFL competition from right across Australia and made a strong impression throughout the 2025/26 season.
For the first time since representative football returned in 2021, the All-Star teams will reflect the unique nature of the NTFL competition, recognising outstanding players from all clubs. Selection for the squads will combine club nominations and individual expressions of interest, giving players multiple ways to earn a spot and ensuring fans see a mix of established stars, emerging talent, and a fresh level of friendly rivalry through the new Heat vs Spears matchup.
Head of AFL Northern Territory, Sam Gibson, said “The NTFL continues to be enriched by the incredible spread of talent within our competition - from homegrown Territory players to those who join us from interstate, who continue to contribute to the standard and profile of the league.
All Star Saturday is an opportunity to bring that blend of talent together on one stage. It’s a celebration of who we are as a football community, and it gives our emerging and established athletes an exciting platform to perform at their best.”
Cazalys Palmerston Club, a consistent supporter of NTFL Representative Football since its return in 2021, has confirmed its continued partnership as premier partner of all NTFL Representative Teams.
Matt Hewer, General Manager of Cazalys Palmerston Club, said: “We’re proud to support NTFL Representative Football and celebrate the incredible talent coming through the Territory. All Star Saturday should be a fantastic showcase of skill, passion, and community spirit”
The event celebrates both established stars and emerging talent, delivering an inclusive, high-energy showcase that highlights Territory football and cements the TIO NTFL as the premier summer football competition.
Full details on match formats, squad selection processes, schedules, and event activities – including the Futures program – will be shared with clubs and supporters in the coming weeks.
