Football Victoria confirm new NPL structures for 2020

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Football Victoria (FV) have announced its new NPL Victoria structures for the 2020 season.

The upcoming season will see the introduction of an NPL3 competition, which will alter the structures of the NPL men’s competitions.

FV CEO Peter Filopoulos claims the new structures would lead to the best teams playing each other week in, week out. He said it was a fairer setup than what was previously implemented.

“These new structures are the result of a lot of consultation, deep thought and a very thorough review of the many options available to us. The application process was also very extensive, and we were thrilled with the overall quality of the club applications we received,” Mr Filopoulos said.

NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUE (NPL) VICTORIA MEN’S PREMIER COMPETITION

The top-tier NPL Victoria competition remains with 14 teams in the 2020 season. However, there will no longer be a promotion-relegation playoff match. Instead, the top two teams in NPL2 will be promoted to the first division whilst the bottom two teams in NPL Victoria will be relegated to NPL2.

In accordance with the 2019 NPL Rules of Competition, the promotion and relegation policy has been applied by FV. These are the positional changes that have now been made in the NPL1 men’s league.

Promoted Clubs Relegated Clubs to NPL 2
Eastern Lions SC Pascoe Vale FC
St. Albans Saints SC Kingston City FC

NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUE (NPL) VICTORIA MEN’S 2 & 3 LEAGUE STRUCTURES

The NPL2 and NPL3 competitions will have 12 teams in each league in 2020. The top six on the ladder in NPL 2 (West) and NPL 2 (East), as well as the top two from Men’s State League 1 (North West) and Men’s State League 1 (South East), will form the new NPL3 competition.

Promoted / Relegated / Current Clubs to NPL 2 from NPL 2 – West Promoted / Relegated /Current Clubs to NPL 2 from NPL 2 – East
Moreland Zebras FC FC Bulleen Lions
Werribee City FC Northcote City FC
Moreland City FC Langwarrin SC
North Geelong FC Manningham United FC
Brunswick City SC Goulburn Valley FC
Pascoe Vale FC (Relegated into NPL2) Kingston City FC (Relegated into NPL2)

 

Promoted / Relegated Clubs to NPL 3 from NPL 2 – West Promoted / Relegated Clubs to NPL 3 from NPL 2 – East
Geelong SC Melbourne City FC
Whittlesea Ranges FC Murray United FC
Melbourne Victory FC Box Hill United SC
Ballarat City FC Springvale White Eagles FC
Preston Lions FC (Promoted into NPL 3) Nunawading City FC (Promoted into NPL 3)
North Sunshine Eagles SC (Promoted into NPL 3) Doveton SC (Promoted into NPL 3)

 

Promoted Clubs to NPL 3 from MSL 1 – North West Promoted Clubs to NPL 3 from MSL 1 – South East
Preston Lions FC Nunawading City FC
North Sunshine SC Doveton SC

NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUE VICTORIA (NPLW) WOMEN’S AND GIRLS’ LEAGUE STRUCTURES

After the completion of the NPLW licence audit process, Southern United FC and Galaxy United FC won’t participate in the NPLW senior women’s and Under 19 competition in 2020. Because of this, the NPLW Senior Women’s and Under 19 competitions will have eight teams in each league in 2020.

The junior girls’ structure remains the same. Further changes are expected after the 2020 season.

NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUE VICTORIA (NPL) JUNIOR BOYS’ LEAGUE STRUCTURE

Following extensive reviews, the Junior Boys’ NPL has been separated from the Senior NPL for the purpose of promotion and relegation.

48 clubs will be involved in Victoria’s Junior Boys’ NPL competition in 2020.

These clubs will be involved in a pre-qualification phase in their geographical zones in early February.

In the 2020 season the Junior Boys’ NPL will comprise of only U13, U14, U15 and U16 teams.

Clubs in the zones below will compete in an 11 round pre-qualification phase in their specified regions. After the completion of this, clubs will be put in a three-tier competition.

JUNIOR BOYS’ NPL VICTORIA LEAGUE ALLOCATIONS & STRUCTURES

JBNPL 

Northern League

 JBNPL 

Western League

 JBNPL 

Southern League 

 JBNPL 

Eastern League
Brunswick City SC Altona Magic SC Bentleigh Greens SC Ashburton United SC
Eltham Redbacks FC Avondale FC Berwick City SC Box Hill United SC
Essendon Royals SC Ballarat City FC Dandenong City SC Eastern Lions SC
Goulburn Valley Suns FC Bendigo City FC Dandenong Thunder FC FC Bulleen Lions
Heidelberg United FC Brimbank Stallions FC Gippsland FC Malvern City FC
Hume City FC Caroline Springs George Cross FC Glen Eira FC Manningham United FC
Melbourne Victory FC Geelong SC Kingston City FC Melbourne City FC
Moreland City FC Green Gully SC Langwarrin SC Northcote City FC
Moreland Zebras FC Melbourne Knights FC Mornington SC Nunawading City FC
Murray United FC North Geelong Warriors FC Oakleigh Cannons FC Port Melbourne Sharks SC
Pascoe Vale FC St Albans Saints SC Peninsula Strikers FC Ringwood City FC
Whittlesea Ranges FC Werribee City FC Springvale White Eagles FC South Melbourne FC

 

 

 

 

 

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A-Leagues partners with Champion Data to enhance broadcast experience

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Image Credit: Shutterstock

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) has appointed Champion Data as its official broadcast graphics partner in a three-season agreement designed to enhance coverage of the Isuzu UTE A-League Men and Ninja A-League Women. The partnership will introduce Champion Data’s live graphics technology across broadcasts on Network 10 and Paramount+, delivering real-time statistics, scores and visual insights to help fans follow the action.

Champion Data will use its proprietary GGi platform to connect match data with broadcast graphics and production workflows. The system will support the delivery of clear, engaging information throughout matches, giving viewers greater insight into key moments and performances. The agreement also strengthens the APL’s commitment to improving the broadcast presentation of women’s football. Champion Data will bring the Ninja A-League Women’s production standards into alignment with the men’s competition, supporting a more consistent viewing experience across both leagues.

The APL expects the partnership to enrich its broadcast offering as audiences seek deeper insights and more engaging ways to follow Australian football. The new graphics package will help viewers understand match developments, track statistics and connect with the stories unfolding on the pitch. Champion Data will manage technical delivery, train broadcast operators and provide live matchday support throughout the agreement. This end-to-end approach will help production teams deliver accurate information and consistent graphics across both competitions.

The partnership builds on Champion Data’s experience in sports data collection, analytics and broadcast technology. They currently provide statistics for the AFL, V8 Supercars and Tennis Australia alongside many others. By integrating live match information with on-screen graphics, the company will help bring the tactical detail and drama of A-Leagues football to television and streaming audiences.

As the APL continues to develop its broadcast product across television and digital platforms. The partnership positions Champion Data as a key technology provider for the next three seasons. The collaboration will combine data expertise and broadcast innovation to improve how fans experience Australian football, bringing greater clarity, context and insight to every match.

Sydney Derby viewership revealed as Network 10 back football on primary channel

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Image Credits: A-League

Friday night’s opening fixture of the 2026/27 A-League Men’s season reached reached an audience of 434,000 people nationally across the free-to-air 10 Network. Less than a week on from the 207,000 that watched the Australia Cup final, it represents further reason to be cautiously optimistic about the season ahead.

Network 10 broadcast the Sydney Derby on it’s primary station, as opposed to last season’s airing on 10 Drama. The shift gives the opening match of the season a more prominent place on free-to-air television; whether the network continues to select choice matches to enjoy this status remains to be seen.

The figures show a positive trend in comparison to January’s meeting of the same sides, which attracted total broadcast audience of 114,000 and a national reach of 258,000 on Channel 10. Both matches faced fierce TV competition with January’s match rivalling the Australian Open on Nine and the 2026/2027 opener with the 2026 Men’s & Women’s Rugby League World Cup airing matches across the Seven Network on the same night.

The opening-round figure offers an early indication of the audience the competition can attract. Future rounds will show whether the A-League can maintain that reach across the season. The league will also look to convert that television exposure into sustained interest in its clubs and matches. Strong viewing figures can help strengthen the case for football in the Australian sporting market.

For now, the 434,000 national audience alongside strong attendance at the Australia Cup final provides a positive starting point for the 2026/27 campaign. The next challenge is to build on that audience as the season progresses.

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