Victorian Premier League
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Founded | 2014 |
---|---|
Country | Australia |
State | Victoria |
Confederation | AFC |
Number of clubs | 28
|
Level on pyramid | 3 and 4 |
Promotion to | National Premier Leagues Victoria |
Relegation to | Victorian State League |
Domestic cup(s) | National Australia Cup State Dockerty Cup |
Current champions | VPL 1: Melbourne Victory Youth VPL 2: Melbourne Srbija (2024) |
Current: VPL 1 (2025), VPL 2 (2025) |
The Victorian Premier League (VPL) is an Australian soccer league based in Victoria. It is administered by Football Victoria, covering the second-to-third-highest tiers in the Victorian soccer league system (and the third-to-fourth-highest nationally).[1]
As of 2025, the VPL consists of two divisions (VPL 1 and VPL 2), with promotion from VPL 1 to the National Premier Leagues (NPL) and relegation from VPL 2 to the Victorian State League (VSL).
History
[edit]Following the introduction of the National Premier Leagues (NPL) for the 2014 season, Football Federation Victoria (FFV) introduced a second-tier NPL 1 competition.[2] It was renamed to NPL 2 in 2016 and split into two zones (east and west).[3] A further change occurred in 2020, with the establishment of NPL 3 as the third-tier competition in the Victorian soccer pyramid.[4]
In October 2023, Football Victoria renamed NPL 2 and NPL 3 to VPL 1 and VPL 2 respectively, using the name "Victorian Premier League" name previously used by the first division in Victoria.[1][5]
Format
[edit]As of the 2025 season, the VPL first and second divisions are contested by 14 teams each. The top two finishing clubs in VPL 1 gain automatic promotion to the NPL, while those clubs finishing in positions third-to-sixth compete in play-offs for a promotion berth.
The bottom three teams in VPL 1 at the conclusion of the season are relegated to VPL 2, and the bottom three teams in VPL 2 are relegated to the Victorian State League first division.[6]
Current members
[edit]These are the clubs who will take part in the 2025 Victorian Premier League.
Division 1
[edit]Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|
Bentleigh Greens | Cheltenham | Kingston Heath Soccer Complex | 3,300 |
Brunswick City | Brunswick West | Dunstan Reserve | 1,000 |
Bulleen Lions | Bulleen | David Barro Stadium | 3,000 |
Caroline Springs George Cross | Fraser Rise | City Vista Recreation Reserve | 3,000 |
Eastern Lions | Burwood | Gardiners Reserve | 1,500 |
Kingston City | Clayton South | The Grange Reserve | 2,000 |
Langwarrin | Langwarrin South | Lawton Park Reserve | 5,000 |
Manningham United Blues | Templestowe | Pettys Reserve | 1,000[7] |
Melbourne City Youth | Cranbourne East | City Football Academy | 1,500 |
Melbourne Srbija | Burnley | Kevin Bartlett Reserve | 2,500 |
Moreland City | Coburg | Campbell Reserve | 1,000[8] |
Northcote City | Thornbury | John Cain Memorial Park | 5,000 |
North Sunshine Eagles | St Albans | Larisa Reserve | 500 |
Western United Youth | Tarneit | Wyndham Regional Football Facility | 5,000 |
Division 2
[edit]Club | Location | Grounds | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|
Altona City | Altona | HC Kim Reserve | 1,000 |
Boroondara-Carey Eagles | Bulleen | Carey Bulleen Sports Complex | 100 |
Box Hill United | Box Hill | Wembley Park | 1,000 |
Brunswick Juventus | Fawkner | CB Smith Reserve | 2,000 |
Eltham Redbacks | Eltham North | Eltham North Reserve | 1,000 |
Essendon Royals | Essendon | Cross Keys Reserve | 500 |
Geelong SC | Corio | Stead Park | 5,000 |
Goulburn Valley Suns | Shepparton | John McEwan Reserve | 3,200 |
North Geelong Warriors | Lara | Elcho Park | 5,000 |
Nunawading City | Forest Hill | Mahoney's Reserve | 1,000 |
Pascoe Vale | Coburg North | Hosken Reserve South | 1,000 |
Springvale White Eagles | Keysborough | Serbian Sports Centre | 5,000 |
Werribee City | Werribee | Galvin Park Reserve | 1,000 |
Whittlesea United | Epping | Epping Stadium | 10,000 |
Champions
[edit]Season | Division 1 | Division 2 |
---|---|---|
2024 | Melbourne Victory Youth | Melbourne Srbija |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "NPLM/W 2024 Update". Football Victoria. 11 October 2023. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ Gorman, Joe (9 December 2013). "Why the NPL matters for Australian football". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "City commences 2016 National Premier Leagues (NPL) Season". Melbourne City FC. 25 February 2016. Archived from the original on 29 June 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ "Football Victoria Announces New 2020 NPL Structures". Football Victoria. 15 October 2019. Archived from the original on 10 April 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ Deliyannis, James (12 October 2023). "Changes continue in Australian football". Neos Kosmos. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "NPLM and VPLM competition structures in 2025 & 2026". Football Victoria. 26 September 2024. Archived from the original on 18 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ "Pettys Reserve Pitch 1". Soccerway. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ "Well Money Park Campbell Reserve Pitch 1". Soccerway. Retrieved 8 January 2024.