With just 11 days to go until Werribee’s opening match of the 2026 Smithy’s VFL season, the AFL has today confirmed the current VFL competition structure will be maintained for at least the next three seasons.

The announcement was made at the VFL season launch at Whitten Oval, ahead of the start of the 2026 Smithy's VFL home and away season.

The commitment will see the VFL continue to operate in its current format until at least the end of the 2028 season.

The VFL is the largest second-tier football competition in the country featuring 22 clubs - eight VFL standalone clubs, two aligned clubs and twelve AFL reserves clubs from across the four states on Australia’s eastern seaboard.

Werribee Football Club President Martin Carter welcomed the announcement.

“The Werribee Football Club is delighted by this news and the commitment that comes with it from the AFL.”

“We fully understand our place in this elite competition and our role in maintaining the standards required from standalone clubs like ours to continue to be viable on and off the field. The integrity of this competition and its very future relies on the total commitment of all clubs.”

Carter added, “Werribee is 100% committed for the guaranteed three years and beyond. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the AFL and playing our part in ensuring a super competitive second-tier competition.”

AFL Executive General Manager Football Performance Greg Swann said the decision to commit to the existing VFL structure allowed member clubs and stakeholders to operate with greater certainty.

“Throughout the off-season we have worked closely with all clubs to carefully assess the overall performance of the VFL and its member clubs,” Swann said.

“VFL clubs have in recent seasons operated on a year-by-year basis without certainty on the future direction of the competition.

“The commitment to maintaining the current VFL structure for at least the next three seasons enables clubs and their stakeholders to operate with greater confidence in the knowledge the competition will continue in its current format until at least 2028.”

The confirmation comes as Werribee continues preparations for the 2026 season, with the club set to open its campaign against the Suns at People First Stadium on the Gold Coast on Sunday, March 22.