Representative sides for both the VFL and SANFL will face off once again during Gather Round in 2026 in Glenelg on Saturday, April 11.
The women's match will begin at 12:00pm ACST, followed by the men's match at 2:30pm at Stratarama Stadium.
During last season's Gather Round weekend, both VFL and VFLW representative sides secured wins over the SANFL and SANFLW, winning by 11 points and 27 points respectively.
Only VFL and VFLW listed players will be eligible to represent the VFL and VFLW State Teams, and players who feature on AFL and AFLW lists will be ineligible.
“After the success of the 2025 representative campaign, we cannot wait to watch the best players from the Smithy's VFL and VFLW come together to take on the SANFL during Gather Round,” AFL head of state leagues Jennie Loughnan said.
“It was a great thrill to watch history made this year with the VFLW State Team winning its first-ever representative game and the Smithy's VFL State Team beating its biggest rival for the first time in 23 years.
“To have both women's and men's matches being played on the same day in 2026 will make for an even greater showcase and we look forward to having plenty of supporters packed into Stratarama Stadium to cheer on both Big V teams.
“I would like to thank the SANFL for their collaboration to continue the fierce tradition of representative football and acknowledge our VFL and VFLW clubs for their ongoing support.”
Five players who have represented the VFL State Team across the past two seasons have gone on to be added to AFL lists - Ned Long (Collingwood), Jack Watkins (Port Adelaide), Ben Jepson (Gold Coast), Jack Henderson (Melbourne) and Liam McMahon (Essendon).
