Countdown to the start of the AFL North Coast season has begun

THE fixture for the 2026 AFL North Coast senior competition has been finalised and it’s now little more than six weeks until the season begins.

When the first bounce of the season takes place on April 11, the AFL North Coast will have five clubs fielding teams in the Senior Men’s and Reserves competitions and four clubs playing in the Senior Women’s Grade.

The first day of matches will see the women’s competition take centre stage while the men and reserves have been given an added week to prepare for their seasons.

Another early season highlight will be the replay of last year’s Men’s and Women’s Grand Finals between Sawtell Toormina and the Coffs Harbour Breakers when the cross-town rivals meet at Fitzroy Oval in their traditional Anzac Day clash.

AFL Northern NSW Community Football and Competition Manager Brad Greenshields said the 2026 season promises to be a great one.

“The return of the Northern Beaches Blues to Senior Men’s footy this year has the local footy community excited for the season ahead,” Greenshields said.

“The standard of football played in the AFL North Coast has improved each year, particularly in the women’s competition, and I’ve no doubt it will again in 2026.

“Of course a major highlight this year will be the AFL North Coast hosting both men’s and women’s representative football matches in Port Macquarie on July 18.”

Winter Saturdays will be filled with footy until the Grand Finals which will be part of a big weekend with the big day for the seniors being played at C.ex Coffs International Stadium on August 29 before the juniors play their grand finals at the same venue the next day.

The fixture for the juniors will be released within a fortnight but a start date of Sunday, April 26 has been locked in for the younger players.