STREETSMARTS AFLQ SCHOOLS CUP

Primary Schools Cup

Nominations are now open for the 2026 StreetSmarts AFLQ Schools Cup - Primary.

The StreetSmarts AFLQ Schools Cup is AFL Queensland’s premier schools’ competition.

The competition is FREE for all public, private and independent schools within Queensland and New South Wales, Northern Rivers. Progression for all primary divisions is determined by off-field performance, with schools advancing through stages of the competition based on their status within the AFL Schools Loyalty Program. Status levels are tracked and confirmed when the required data/report is submitted into AFL systems by regional team members. The AFL Schools Loyalty Program will continue to evolve to better reflect state-based initiatives and strengthen alignment to participation priorities across Queensland.

Rising Star Gala (Entry): Schools must register via the nomination form and have a minimum of one Schools Member (teacher) to participate in the entry-level gala day/competition.

Best on Ground Gala: Schools must have participated in a Rising Star Gala Day and achieved Best on Ground status by Week 5, Term 3 to progress to this stage.

Hall of Fame Gala: Participation at the Hall of Fame weekend requires completion of the Best on Ground Gala and attainment of Hall of Fame status by the end of Term 3. This event is invitation-only.

  • Primary Female: For female students enrolled in Grades 5 & 6, 12 a-side + 4 interchange
  • Primary Mixed: For all students enrolled in Grades 5 & 6, 12 a-side + 4 interchange.

From Cairns to Byron Bay, we have dates and locations for every primary school in Queensland and northern NSW. To participate in the entry level or 'Rising Star Gala' schools must meet our participation requirements. 

Can't find a day that suits your school, email QLDSchools@afl.com.au.

2026 nominations are now open. Please find below the dates & locations for gala match days in 2026. This is as of November 17, with the next update December 8.

Best on Ground Gala; schools must have participated in a Rising Star Gala Day or competition approved by AFL Queensland and achieved Best on Ground status by Week 5, Term 3 to progress to this stage. 

Best on Ground - North QLD
Date: 28 July
Location: Townsville

Best on Ground - Central QLD
Date: 27 October (t.b.a)
Location: Boyne Island

Best on Ground - Metro North
Date: 11 August
Location: Sunshine Coast

Best on Ground - Metro Central
Date: 12 August
Location: Brisbane

Best on Ground - Metro South
Date: 13 August
Location: Gold Coast

Sunshine Coast
Date: Friday 16 & Saturday 17 October 2026
Venue: Maroochydore Multi-Sports Complex, Sunshine Coast

This is an invite only event. 

Secondary Schools Cup

Nominations for the 2026 StreetSmarts AFLQ Schools Cup are now open for secondary schools.

The StreetSmarts AFLQ Schools Cup is AFL Queensland’s premier schools’ competition.

The competition is FREE for all public, private and independent schools within Queensland and New South Wales, Northern Rivers.

  • Junior Female: for female students enrolled in Grades 7 & 8, 14 a-side + 4 interchange
  • Junior Mixed: for students enrolled in Grades 7 & 8, 16 a-side + 4 interchange
  • Youth Female: for female students enrolled in Grades 9 & 10, 16 a-side + 4 interchange
  • Youth Male: for male students enrolled in Grades 9 & 10, 18 a-side + 4 interchange
  • Senior Female: for female students enrolled in Grades 11 & 12, 16 a-side + 5 interchange
  • Senior Male: for male students enrolled in Grades 11 & 12, 18 a-side + 5 interchange
     
  • Junior Mixed Disability Inclusion: for students students enrolled in Grades 7-9, 12 a-side + 4 interchange, students identified via enrolment living with disability.
  • Senior Mixed Disability Inclusion: for students students enrolled in Grades 10-12, 12 a-side + 4 interchange, students identified via enrolment living with disability.

From Cairns to Byron Bay, we have dates and locations for every school in Queensland and northern NSW. It is a requirement of all participating schools to play in their local area, approval is required to play outside of LGA by competition management. 

Can't find a day that suits your school, email QLDSchools@afl.com.au. 

2026 nominations are now open. Please find below the dates & locations for gala match days in 2026. This is as of November 17, with the next update December 8.

Finals Series - Secondary

The best of the best from across Queensland will go head to head in the StreetSmarts AFLQ Schools Cup - Finals Series, across a number of finals with all matches from the quarter finals onwards will be broadcast on KommunityTV thanks to NewsCorp and our great partners in school footy, StreetSmarts Queensland. 

The 2026 Finals Series will begin with 3 stages of knockout matches prior to the quarter finals. 

WILD CARD - Invite Only: For schools who finished 2nd at regional gala match days, will be invited by AFL Queensland to continue. 

Location: Brisbane & Gold Coast
Date: 14 July

REGIONAL FINALS: Schools who win their regional gala match days advance to this stage of the competition. 

Locations: Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Toowoomba & Gold Coast
Dates: 21-22-23 July

SEQ FINALS: Schools who progress from Regional Finals and Seeded from other AFLQ Competitions. 

Locations: Sunshine Coast, Brisbane & Gold Coast
Dates: 4-5-6 August

The 2026 North Queensland Championships will be held at Riverway Stadium, Townsville thanks to our event partners the Townsville City Council.

Dates: Tuesday 28 & Wednesday 29 July, 2025
Location: Riverway Stadium, Thuringowa - Townsville

The 2026 Quarter Finals will be held in the Ipswich region thanks to our event partners the Ipswich City Council. This stage of the competition is for schools from seeded AFLQ competitions and schools progressing from the SEQ Finals. 

Dates: 18-19-20 August
Venue: To be advised

The 2026 Semi Finals will be held in September. This stage of the competition is for schools from seeded AFLQ competitions and schools progressing from the Quarter Finals. 

Dates: 1-2-3 September
Venue: To be advised

 

Date: Friday 16 & Sunday 18 October, 2026
Venue: Maroochydore Multi-Sports Complex, Sunshine Coast

Secondary schools will play on Friday and Sunday, with the Primary schools Hall of Fame gala matches on the Friday and Saturday. 

StreetSmarts AFLQ Schools Cup

StreetSmarts and AFL Queensland are excited to see you kicking goals on the footy field, and we want to see you do the same thing off field, particularly regarding road safety.