NPL Men’s and Under 20’s NSW Championship Series Format Confirmed
The 2026 NPL Men’s NSW Championship Series is set to deliver three rounds of finals football across both the First Grade and Under 20s competitions, with the state’s best clubs preparing for a dramatic conclusion to the season.
With the regular season nearing its conclusion, the Championship Series format has been confirmed, with the First Grade and Under 20s competitions following the same finals structure.
Please note: Kick-off times are yet to be determined and the advertised match dates remain subject to change.
NPL Men’s NSW – First Grade Championship Series
The First Grade Championship Series will begin with the Elimination Semi-Finals on Wednesday, 2 September, with third through sixth place battling for the opportunity to progress.
The match-ups will be:
Elimination Semi-Final 1: 3rd v 6th
Elimination Semi-Final 2: 4th v 5th
The winners will then progress to the Preliminary Finals on Sunday, 6 September.
The highest-ranked winner from Round 1 will face second-placed team, while the lowest-ranked winner will take on the Premiers.
Preliminary Final 1: 1st v Lowest Ranked Winner from Round 1
Preliminary Final 2: 2nd v Highest Ranked Winner from Round 1
The two Preliminary Final winners will then meet in the NPL Men’s NSW First Grade Grand Final on Sunday, 13 September, with the Championship to be decided at St George Venues Jubilee Stadium.
NPL Men’s NSW First Grade Championship Series
| Round | Date | Fixture |
| Round 1 | Wednesday, 2 September | Elimination Semi-Final 1 – 3rd v 6th |
| Round 1 | Wednesday, 2 September | Elimination Semi-Final 2 – 4th v 5th |
| Round 2 | Sunday, 6 September | Preliminary Final 1 – 1st v Lowest Ranked Winner |
| Round 2 | Sunday, 6 September | Preliminary Final 2 – 2nd v Highest Ranked Winner |
| Round 3 | Sunday, 13 September | Grand Final – Winner PF1 v Winner PF2 |
Grand Final venue: St George Venues Jubilee Stadium
NPL Men’s NSW Under 20s Championship Series
The NPL Men’s NSW Under 20s Championship Series will follow the same format, with the opening Elimination Semi-Finals scheduled for Thursday, 3 September.
The top six will battle it out as follows:
Elimination Semi-Final 1: 3rd v 6th
Elimination Semi-Final 2: 4th v 5th
The two winners will progress to the Preliminary Finals on Sunday, 6 September, where the Premiers and second-placed team will enter the Championship Series.
Preliminary Final 1: 1st v Lowest Ranked Winner from Round 1
Preliminary Final 2: 2nd v Highest Ranked Winner from Round 1
The Championship Series will conclude with the Under 20s Grand Final on Saturday, 12 September, with Valentine Sports Park hosting the decider.
NPL Men’s NSW Under 20s Championship Series
| Round | Date | Fixture |
| Round 1 | Thursday, 3 September | Elimination Semi-Final 1 – 3rd v 6th |
| Round 1 | Thursday, 3 September | Elimination Semi-Final 2 – 4th v 5th |
| Round 2 | Sunday, 6 September | Preliminary Final 1 – 1st v Lowest Ranked Winner |
| Round 2 | Sunday, 6 September | Preliminary Final 2 – 2nd v Highest Ranked Winner |
| Round 3 | Saturday, 12 September | Grand Final – Winner PF1 v Winner PF2 |
Grand Final venue: Valentine Sports Park
With the regular season reaching its conclusion, the battle for Championship Series positions will become increasingly important, with every point potentially determining who earns a place in the finals and who receives the advantage of entering the series as Premiers or runners-up.
Please note that kick-off times for all Championship Series fixtures are yet to be determined, while the advertised match dates are subject to change. Further information will be communicated once confirmed.
