The 2025 Victorian Netball League (VNL) finals series begins next Wednesday 23 July, with eight clubs represented across the two divisions including the Bendigo Strikers making history by qualifying for both divisions for the first time since being awarded a competition licence last year.
As the premier netball competition in Victoria, the 2025 VNL finals series will bring together the state’s top netball talent in four weeks of pre-elite competition, showcasing the best emerging athletes, high performance coaches and officials who are shaping both the local and national stage. With passionate crowds and fierce rivalries, this is where champions are made.
23&Under contenders: North East Blaze (minor premiers), Melbourne University Lightning, Bendigo Strikers, Hawks Netball, Geelong Cougars, City West Falcons.
Championship contenders: City West Falcons (minor premiers), Boroondara Express, Hawks Netball, Casey Demons, Bendigo Strikers, North East Blaze.
This year, the finals series will take on a revamped format with six teams in the 23&Under and Championship divisions competing in week one, and the series structured over four weeks.
FINALS FORMAT:
In the first week, 1 vs 2 face off in the qualifying final, with the winner advancing directly to major semi final in the second week, while the loser plays in the minor semi final.
Two elimination finals also take place in week one: 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5, with the losers eliminated and the winners moving on based on their ranking at the end of the season proper. The higher ranked winner will progress to the major semi final and the lower ranked winner progresses to the minor semi final.
In the second week, the minor semi final sees one team eliminated and the winner progressing to the preliminary final, while the major semi final determines the first grand finalist, with the loser given another chance in the preliminary final.
The third week hosts the preliminary final, where the winner earns the second spot in the grand final and the loser is eliminated.
Netball fans can get close to the action and feel the pulse with all games being played at the state home of netball, the State Netball Centre in Parkville. And for those unable to make it to the venue, all finals will be livestreamed across KommunityTV and Netball Victoria’s Facebook page.
2025 Victorian Netball League Finals Series
Week 1 – Qualifying finals – Wednesday 23 July
CHAMPIONSHIP – 8.45PM
Qualifying final: City West Falcons vs Boroondara Express
Elimination final 1: Hawks Netball vs North East Blaze
Elimination final 2: Casey Demons vs Bendigo Strikers
23&UNDER – 7.00PM
Qualifying final: North East Blaze vs Melbourne University Lightning
Elimination final 1: Hawks Netball vs City West Falcons
Elimination final 2: Bendigo Strikers vs Geelong Cougars
Week 2 – Semi finals – Wednesday 30 July
Minor semi final: Loser qualifying final vs lower ranked elimination final winner
Major semi final: Winner qualifying final vs higher ranked elimination final winner
Week 3 – Preliminary finals – Wednesday 6 August
Week 4 – Grand finals – Wednesday 13 August
TICKETS:
Tickets for the first week of finals are on sale now through TryBooking.
Weeks 1 – 3: Adult $6 / Child & concession $3
Grand final: Adult $8 / Child & concession $4
For match information and full event updates, visit netballvic.com.au.
