Western United will still field sides in the Victorian Premier League next season.
Football Victoria last week released its provisional declaration of league structures for its National Premier League, VPL and state league competitions.
The provisional league structures have been determined in conjunction with the rules of competition and the order of merit process and has been released two months ahead of schedule after ongoing work with clubs to ensure compliance.
A significant development heading into the 2026 season is the transition of state league competitions from a five division structure to a seven division structure.
The change, which was announced last December, introduces a more streamlined and consistent framework, with all leagues within each division zoned as north-west and south-east throughout the entire state league structure.
FV’s head of competitions Frank Karatzas is excited for the simplified structure heading into the 2026 season.
“Off the back of a huge 2025, highlighted by the success of NPL clubs in the Nike Cup and Dockerty Cup as well as state league clubs in the Steph Catley and Cecil Earley plates, we’re looking ahead to an even bigger 2026, showcasing the only statewide football pyramid in Australia”.
“With the Veto Sports state leagues now expanded to seven divisions, the pathway to progress through the pyramid is clearer than ever, strengthening and unifying the competition from top to bottom.”
As part of the release, Football Victoria confirmed that Western United’s VPL1 side and junior boys sides will play next season.
After months of financial issues and missed payments to staff and players, United were stripped of their A-Leagues licence in August, then issued a wind-up order by the ATO in September.
Due to the issues, the VPL1 side was kicked out of this year’s finals.
“Western United FC have retained their position in both VPLM1 and the VBYPL (previously NPLJB) having met all membership and financial obligations to Football Victoria,” Football Victoria said. “Earlier this year, they were suspended (not expelled) from FV competition fixtures under the rules of competition, to ensure they met licence and membership requirements.
“The participation of A-League clubs in FV sanctioned competitions has not been historically tied with their A-League licence, however this is currently in review.”
In the state league, the provisional divisions include teams that have been promoted and relegated in the leagues they are set to play in.
Lalor United has been promoted into state league 1 north-west and Craigieburn City has been relegated to state league 3 north-west.
Greenvale United and La Trobe University are both part of the new state league 7 north-west competition along with Roxburgh Park.
