The AFL has released fixtures for the 2024 Smithy’s VFL and VFLW season, including the full schedule for Rounds 1-13 of the VFL and for all 14 rounds of the VFLW.
Both competitions will commence on the weekend of March 22-24, aligning with Round 2 of the 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership season.
Venues and times for the Smithy’s VFL fixture from Round 14 onwards will be confirmed once the last part of the AFL fixture is announced later in the year.
The 2024 Smithy’s VFL season will feature the same 21 teams from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland who competed across the past two seasons. The home-and-away season will consist of 21 rounds, with every team to play 18 matches.
All 12 teams who took part in the VFLW last year will again feature in the 2024 VFLW season, which will again comprise 14 rounds.
In a change to the VFLW fixture for season 2024, the Sydney Swans and GWS GIANTS will compete in part of the season, with each New South Wales-based club to play five matches against VFLW clubs from Rounds 3-7 of the home-and-away season.
AFL Head of State League Competitions, Jennie Loughnan, said: “We are excited to build on a really positive 2023 for both the Smithy’s VFL and VFLW and get the 2024 season underway on March 22. We have made enhancements to the fixtures to help ensure 2024 is even bigger and better for our clubs, players and fans.
“In the VFL, the structure of the fixture has been tweaked to ensure there are more matches featuring two standalone clubs, who will also now play 10 home matches instead of nine. This will help to foster traditional rivalries and attract crowds for those clubs.
“In the VFLW, we warmly welcome the Sydney Swans and GWS GIANTS to the competition, with both clubs to play five matches each. This is a fantastic opportunity for the New South Wales-based players on the Swans and GIANTS’ lists to compete at the highest level of state league football in the country and help to develop the women’s footy talent pool.
“We have worked closely with clubs and believe the 2024 fixtures for the Smithy’s VFL and VFLW competitions provide the foundation for a great season of state league football.
“I thank the clubs for working with us on developing the fixtures and also thank the fans for their patience as we factor in the many considerations that impact our fixtures.”
To view the full fixtures, please go to www.afl.com.au/vfl/fixture.
SMITHY’S VFL
Some of the key features of the 2024 Smithy’s VFL season include:
• More matches scheduled between VFL standalone clubs (Werribee, Williamstown and Southport to play each other twice / Port Melbourne, Frankston, Coburg and Northern Bullants to play each other twice), while AFL standalones clubs will also play each other more often than previous seasons
• All seven VFL standalone clubs will play 10 home games from their 18 matches. Each of the seven Victorian-based AFL standalone clubs have been fixtured to play eight home games instead of nine
• Competition bye scheduled for SANFL vs. VFL representative match during AFL Gather Round in Adelaide
• Four matches scheduled on Good Friday - Friday, March 29
• ANZAC Day clash between Williamstown and Werribee at DSV Stadium in Round 5
• Box Hill Hawks to host Sandringham and Southern Saints in a VFL and VFLW double-header at Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve on May 12
• Grand Final rematch between Gold Coast Suns and Werribee to be played at Heritage Bank Stadium in Round 10
• Wildcard Round retained and will be played weekend of August 24-25. Same format as 2023 (7 vs 10; 8 vs 9 with the top-ranked winner to become the seventh finals team and the second-ranked winner to become the eighth finals team)
• Finals commence weekend of August 31 to September 1
• The 2024 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final is scheduled to be played on Sunday, September 22
VFLW
Some of the key features of the 2024 VFLW season include:
• GWS GIANTS and Sydney Swans to each play in five matches during the VFLW season. Matches will be fixtured against AFLW standalone and aligned clubs between Rounds 3 to 7 and be played in Melbourne and Sydney. Premiership points and percentage will apply for all matches involving the GIANTS and Swans
• During these five rounds, 14 teams will compete in seven matches, as opposed to the normal VFLW round model of 12 teams competing in six matches
• No competition byes scheduled during the 2024 VFLW season, with all teams to play during the Easter and King’s Birthday long weekends
• Grand Final rematch between Port Melbourne and Collingwood to be played at ETU Stadium on Good Friday in Round 2. The match is one of two VFLW matches scheduled on Good Friday, with North Melbourne to host Carlton in a VFL/W double-header at Arden Street Oval
• The finals format will remain unchanged, with the top-six teams on the ladder at the conclusion of the home and away season to qualify for the 2024 VFLW Finals Series
• The finals series will be played across four weeks, commencing the weekend of June 29-30
• The 2024 VFLW Grand Final is scheduled to be played on Sunday, July 21
OTHER VFL/W INFORMATION
VFL-SANFL rivalry to return in 2024
The fierce rivalry between the VFL and SANFL will resume in 2024 with a men's representative match to be played in Adelaide during the AFL Gather Round weekend, which is set for April 4-7. The best VFL-listed players from the 21-team competition will be selected to represent the ‘Big V’ in the VFL’s first representative match in seven years. More details about venue and match time will be confirmed soon.
Broadcast and streaming
All matches in the 2024 Smithy’s VFL and VFLW seasons will be live streamed free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL App. Smithy’s VFL broadcast partner, the Seven Network, will broadcast select matches live and free on the Seven Network in Victoria and on 7plus nationally.
Live scoring and stats
Live scoring and stats will be available via both the AFL Live Official App and VFL App.
Ticketing
Where Smithy’s VFL matches are ticketed, entry is $10 for adults, $5 for concession holders and kids under 15 are free. Some venues don't charge for entry. AFL ticketing prices apply for VFL matches played as curtain-raisers and curtain-closers to AFL matches.
Entry to VFLW matches is free. Where venues host VFL and VFLW double-headers, entry fees will apply after half time of the VFLW match if played first.
Another round for Smithy's
The AFL is pleased to announce a three-year partnership extension between the Victorian Football League (VFL) and Smithy’s. The extension will see Smithy’s continue as the VFL’s naming rights partner through to at least the end of the 2026 season.
