The AFL has today released the schedules for the 2026 Marsh AFL National Championships.
Featuring the most talented under 18 boys and girls footballers from across Australia, the National Championships will be played throughout June and July, with matches scheduled across the country.
Dates for all matches are confirmed, with venues and start times for several games to be advised following confirmation of AFL scheduling for Round 16 onward.
The schedule for the 2026 Marsh AFL National Development Championships U16 Boys has also been confirmed.
The first round of matches will be played across four weeks in June, before all teams converge on the Gold Coast from July 13-17 for the final two rounds.
The Marsh AFL National Development Championships U16 Girls was played last month, with the Gold Coast Suns Academy, GWS Giants Academy and South Australia sharing title honours after going through the tournament undefeated.
AFL Head of Talent, Nicky Couston, said: “The Marsh AFL National Championships are the highest level of representative football and provide emerging players an opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage.
“The AFL is committed to providing a talent pathway program that allows young footballers to reach their full potential.
“The National Championships provide the most talent young footballers the opportunity to represent their states and territories and test themselves against their most talented peers across the country.
“On behalf of the AFL, we thank Marsh for its commitment to the Marsh AFL National Championships and supporting our game’s next generation stars.”
2026 MARSH AFL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – U18 GIRLS
Teams: Allies (comprising ACT, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Tasmania), Queensland, South Australia, Victoria Country, Victoria Metro and Western Australia.
| DATE | MATCH | VENUE | TIME |
| Sat 13 June | Western Australia v South Australia | Mineral Resources Park | 1:00pm |
| Sun 14 June | Allies v Victoria Country | Blacktown ISP | 10:30am |
| Sun 14 June | Victoria Metro v Queensland | GMHBA Stadium | 11:00am |
| Sat 20 June | Western Australia v Victoria Metro | TBA (Perth) | TBA |
| Sun 21 June | South Australia v Allies | Alberton Oval | 11:00am |
| Sat 27 June | South Australia v Victoria Metro | Alberton Oval | 2:00pm |
| Sun 28 June | Queensland v Victoria Country | TBA (Brisbane) | 10:30am |
| Sat 4 July | Victoria Country v Western Australia | TBA (Melbourne) | TBA |
| Sun 5 July | Queensland v Allies | Brighton Homes Arena | 10:30am |
| Sat 11 July | South Australia v Queensland | TBA (Melbourne) | TBA |
| Sat 11 July | Allies v Western Australia | TBA (Melbourne) | TBA |
| Sat 11 July | Victoria Country v Victoria Metro | TBA (Melbourne) | TBA |
2026 MARSH AFL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – U18 BOYS
Teams: Allies (comprising ACT, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland and Tasmania), South Australia, Victoria Country, Victoria Metro and Western Australia.
| DATE | MATCH | VENUE | TIME |
| Sat 13 June | Western Australia v South Australia | Mineral Resources Park | 10:30am |
| Sun 14 June | Allies v Victoria Country | Blacktown ISP | 12:45pm |
| Sat 20 June | Western Australia v Victoria Metro | TBA (Perth) | TBA |
| Sun 21 June | South Australia v Allies | Alberton Oval | 1:00pm |
| Sun 28 June | Victoria Metro v Allies | TBA (Melbourne) | TBA |
| Fri 3 July | Victoria Metro v South Australia | Marvel Stadium | TBA |
| Fri 3 July | Victoria Country v Western Australia | Marvel Stadium | TBA |
| Wed 8 July | Victoria Country v South Australia | TBA (Melbourne) | TBA |
| Wed 8 July | Allies v Western Australia | TBA (Melbourne) | TBA |
| Sun 19 July | Victoria Country v Victoria Metro | TBA (Melbourne) | TBA |
2026 MARSH AFL NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CHAMPIONSHIPS – U16 BOYS
Pool A teams: South Australia, Victoria Country, Victoria Metro and Western Australia
Pool B teams: Brisbane Lions Academy, Gold Coast Suns Academy, GWS Giants Academy, Northern Territory, Sydney Swans Academy and Tasmania
| DATE | MATCH | VENUE | TIME |
| Mon 8 June | Northern Territory v Tasmania | Kennedy Comm. Centre | 11:00am |
| Mon 8 June | Victoria Metro v Victoria Country | Kennedy Comm. Centre | 1:30pm |
| Sat 27 June | South Australia v Western Australia | Alberton Oval | 11:30am |
| Sat 27 June | GWS Giants v Sydney Swans | Manuka Oval | 10:30am |
| Sun 5 July | Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast Suns | Brighton Homes Arena | 12:45pm |
| Mon 13 July | TBA v TBA (Pool B teams) | People First Stadium | 10:00am |
| Mon 13 July | TBA v TBA (Pool B teams) | People First Stadium | 12:25pm |
| Mon 13 July | TBA v TBA (Pool B teams) | People First Stadium | 2:50pm |
| Tue 14 July | Victoria Country v South Australia | People First Stadium | 10:00am |
| Tue 14 July | Victoria Metro v Western Australia | People First Stadium | 12:30pm |
| Thu 16 July | TBA v TBA (Pool B teams) | Fankhauser Reserve | 9:30am |
| Thu 16 July | TBA v TBA (Pool B teams) | Fankhauser Reserve | 11:45am |
| Thu 16 July | TBA v TBA (Pool B teams) | Fankhauser Reserve | 2:00pm |
| Fri 17 July | South Australia v Victoria Metro | Fankhauser Reserve | 9:30am |
| Fri 17 July | Western Australia v Victoria Country | Fankhauser Reserve | 11:45am |
Please note: All times are local. Match details are subject to change.
BROADCAST: The Marsh AFL National Championships for U18 Boys and Girls will be broadcast exclusively via the match centre at AFL.com.au, womens.afl and the AFL and AFLW Live Apps. The Marsh AFL National Development Championships for U16 Boys will be live streamed via the AFL Play YouTube channel.
SQUADS: Squads will be confirmed prior to the first game for each of the Championships.