Football Victoria (FV) has today announced transformative changes to the VETO Sports State League Men’s (SLM) and Women’s (SLW) competitions from the 2026 season.
While the 2025 season will follow the 2024 structures, from 2026 the SLM and SLW leagues will expand from the current five-division structure to seven divisions, marking a pivotal step forward for senior community football.
The decision, which follows extensive consultation with clubs over recent seasons, introduces a more streamlined and consistent framework for competition. Under the new model, all leagues within each division will be zoned geographically into North-West and South-East regions.
Dan Birrell, Executive Manager - Football Operations said the move is designed to enhance the competitiveness and growth opportunities within the leagues.
“These changes will align the entire Senior Community Football pyramid,” Birrell explained.
“The shift in structure will provide clubs with a streamlined competition format, while the introduction of a two-up, two-down promotion and relegation process ensures increased competitiveness and fairness across all levels.”
The introduction of a standardised promotion and relegation system across all divisions will provide clubs with a clear pathway for progression.
With the changes set to take effect in 2026, FV has announced them well in advance to allow clubs sufficient time to plan and prepare for the future.
Further information will be shared once the 2025 Final League Structures are confirmed late in January 2025.
The 2026 changes are summarised in the below tables.
VETO SPORTS STATE LEAGUE MEN’S | |
Current Structure for 2025 | Updated Structure for 2026 |
State League Men’s 1 North-West | State League Men’s 1 North-West |
State League Men’s 1 South-East | State League Men’s 1 South-East |
State League Men’s 2 North-West | State League Men’s 2 North-West |
State League Men’s 2 South-East | State League Men’s 2 South-East |
State League Men’s 3 North-West | State League Men’s 3 North-West |
State League Men’s 3 South-East | State League Men’s 3 South-East |
State League Men’s 4 North | State League Men’s 4 North-West |
State League Men’s 4 West | |
State League Men’s 4 South | State League Men’s 4 South-East |
State League Men’s 4 East | |
State League Men’s 5 North | State League Men’s 5 North-West |
State League Men’s 5 West | |
State League Men’s 5 South | State League Men’s 5 South-East |
State League Men’s 5 East | |
| State League Men’s 6 North-West |
State League Men’s 6 South-East | |
State League Men’s 7 North-West | |
State League Men’s 7 South-East | |
VETO SPORTS STATE LEAGUE WOMEN’S | |
Current Structure for 2025 | Updated Structure for 2026 |
State League Women’s 1 North-West | State League Women’s 1 North-West |
State League Women’s 1 South-East | State League Women’s 1 South-East |
State League Women’s 2 North-West | State League Women’s 2 North-West |
State League Women’s 2 South-East | State League Women’s 2 South-East |
State League Women’s 3 North | State League Women’s 3 North-West |
State League Women’s 3 West | |
State League Women’s 3 South | State League Women’s 3 South-East |
State League Women’s 3 East | |
State League Women’s 4 North | State League Women’s 4 North-West |
State League Women’s 4 West | |
State League Women’s 4 South | State League Women’s 4 South-East |
State League Women’s 4 East | |
State League Women’s 5 North | State League Women’s 5 North-West |
State League Women’s 5 West | |
State League Women’s 5 South | State League Women’s 5 South-East |
State League Women’s 5 East | |
| State League Women’s 6 North-West |
State League Women’s 6 South-East | |
State League Women’s 7 North-West | |
State League Women’s 7 South-East | |
| State League Women’s 8 North-West |
| State League Women’s 8 South-East |
Please note, the table above is for visual purposes and intended to clearly illustrate a geographical and logical promotion and relegation mechanism.
Competition League Structures may be altered due to competition requirements, competition reviews and team withdrawals and vacancies. Any final 2026 structures will be determined at FV's discretion.