29 January, 2026
Kym Cheeseman
Victoria, Melbourne - 2026 will be the third year of the Big V Youth Qualification Series, which has become an exciting inclusion to the Big V calendar. The series grows every year and continues to shape the competitive landscape of Victorian youth basketball.
Following successful editions in 2024 at Montmorency Secondary College and Eagle Stadium, then backing it up in 2025 at Narrandjeri Stadium and Altona Sports Centre, the 2026 series will return to Narrandjeri Stadium for Victorian Youth Championship (VYC) and Youth League One (YL1) qualification series. For the first time, Dandenong Stadium will host Youth League One, Youth League Two and Youth League Three matchups, further expanding the reach and impact of the event, which will take place on the 8th of February.
A Growing Series, New Opportunities
The inclusion of Youth League Three Men has opened new opportunities for the series. With more games, and more movement between divisions, the pathway for clubs is going to be exciting to watch.
Darebin Youth Men showcased the strength of this pathway in 2025, entering in Big V Youth League Three Men and claiming the championship in emphatic fashion. They now sit on the brink of promotion, with the opportunity to earn their way into Youth League Two.
On the women’s side, Knox and Sunbury both recorded outstanding 17–1 regular seasons in 2025, claiming minor premiership honours in Youth League One and Youth League Two respectively. Despite falling narrowly short in their grand finals, both teams now have a fresh opportunity in February to push for promotion and be rewarded for their season-long dominance.
Earned, Not Given
The Youth Qualification Series is about performance and accountability. Teams are not invited by choice; they qualify by earning or defending their place.
To qualify, teams must finish in the top four or bottom four of their respective competitions following finals. Going into this season's qualification series, all teams will reflect their 2025 rosters, with eligibility requirements in place to ensure competitive integrity.
Those competing will be fighting to hold their position or to battle their way up a division, making every game meaningful.
Developing the Whole Game
The qualification series is also a key development opportunity for Technical and Bench Officials from across the state. For the third consecutive year, the event will support training and mentoring, with a strong focus on improving officiating standards and welcoming new officials into senior competitions.
Check out the full fixture below:
VYCM / YL1M – Narrandjeri Stadium
- Game A: Hume City vs Ballarat
(Winner to VYC | Loser to play winner of Game D)
- Game B: Melbourne vs Pakenham
(Winner to VYC | Loser to play winner of Game C)
- Game C: Wyndham vs McKinnon
(Winner to play loser of Game B | Loser to YL1)
- Game D: Bulleen vs Ringwood
(Winner to play loser of Game A | Loser to YL1)
VYCW / YL1W – Narrandjeri Stadium
- Game A: Bulleen vs Knox
(Winner to VYC | Loser to play winner of Game D)
- Game B: Frankston vs Eltham
(Winner to VYC | Loser to play winner of Game C)
- Game C: Pakenham vs Camberwell
(Winner to play loser of Game B | Loser to YL1)
- Game D: Bendigo vs Geelong United
(Winner to play loser of Game A | Loser to YL1)
YL1M / YL2M – Dandenong Stadium
- Game G: Sunbury vs Altona
(Winner to YL1 | Loser to play winner of Game J)
- Game H: Blackburn vs Wallan
(Winner to YL1 | Loser to play winner of Game I)
- Game I: Westgate vs Albury Wodonga
(Winner to play loser of Game H | Loser to YL2)
- Game J: Bendigo vs Sherbrooke
(Winner to play loser of Game G | Loser to YL2)
YL1W / YL2W – Dandenong Stadium
- Game G: Wyndham vs Sunbury
(Winner to YL1 | Loser to play winner of Game J)
- Game H: Western Port vs Warrandyte
(Winner to YL1 | Loser to play winner of Game I)
- Game I: Ballarat vs Hawthorn
(Winner to play loser of Game H | Loser to YL2)
- Game J: Collingwood vs Bellarine
(Winner to play loser of Game G | Loser to YL2)
YL2M / YL3M – Dandenong Stadium
- Game M: Western Port vs Warrandyte
(Winner to YL2 | Loser to play winner of Game P)
- Game N: Craigieburn vs Darebin
(Winner to YL2 | Loser to play winner of Game O)
- Game O: Collingwood vs Chelsea
(Winner to play loser of Game N | Loser to YL3)
- Game P: Mornington vs Southern Peninsula
(Winner to play loser of Game M | Loser to YL3)
The Big V Youth Qualification Series continues to be an important basketball calendar, where standards are tested, opportunities are earned, and we watch how the new season of Big V takes shape.
For more information about Big V, click below.
