Football Victoria has released the 2023 fixtures for NPL as the countdown to the 2023 National Premier League Victoria begins.
The season is full of blockbuster matches, classic rivalries and promoted teams who will be out to test their mettle at a higher level.
The release includes fixtures for the following leagues: NPLM, NPLW, NPL2, NPL3 and the junior NPL competitions.
The 2023 fixture release follows considerable collaboration between NPL Clubs and FV’s Competitions Team.
NPL VICTORIA MENS | Kicks-Off Thursday, February 16
Last year’s runners-up South Melbourne FC and NPL2 Champions Moreland City FC will open the NPLM Victoria season in a standalone match on Thursday, February 16 at Lakeside Stadium.
Round 1 continues on Friday night with an enormous triple header. 2022 NPL2 runners up North Geelong Warriors travel to Kingston Heath to take on reigning Dockerty Cup winners Bentleigh Greens, before Heidelberg United host Dandenong Thunder and Champions Oakleigh Cannons begin their title defense against Green Gully at Jack Edwards Reserve.
On Saturday, 18 February, Port Melbourne Sharks face Avondale at home and Altona Magic meet Hume City at Paisley Park. St Albans Saints and Melbourne Knights round out matchday one in a massive clash on Sunday afternoon, in a game that is expected to draw a strong crowd to Churchill Reserve.
The two newly promoted teams will welcome top-tier football back to their home grounds in Round 2, as the Sharks travel to Elcho Park and Bentleigh head to Moreland City’s new home, CB Smith Reserve. The two promoted Clubs first face each other in Round 6.
NPL
The first grand final rematch between Oakleigh Cannons and South Melbourne will take place in Round 7.
Oakleigh Cannons will host two blockbuster rematches back-to-back in Rounds 7 and 8. The much-anticipated 2022 Grand Final rematch against South Melbourne has been locked in for March 31st at Jack Edwards Reserve, followed by the Dockerty Cup Final rematch as the Bentleigh Greens make the short trip Oakleigh on April 10.
NPL VICTORIA WOMENS | Kicks-Off Friday, March 17
The NPLW has grown from eight to 11 teams with the Preston Lions, Boroondara Eagles and Southern United all gaining promotion from the VPLW. The odd number of teams in the competition has resulted in one team being allocated a bye each Round.
2022 Champions Calder United launch their title defense against Box Hill on Friday, March 17 in season curtain raiser.
Round 1 is also headlined by the classic rivalry between South Melbourne FC and Heidelberg United on Saturday, March 18. Star striker and reigning NPLW Golden Boot winner Danielle Wise has made the switch from the Bergers to South and will be one to watch when the sides meet at Lakeside Stadium.
2022 VPLW Champions Preston Lions travel to Alamein in their first game while the other promoted sides, Southern United and Boroondara Eagles, face Bayside United and FC Bulleen respectively. FV Emerging have been scheduled the bye in Round 1.
NPLW
Last year’s finalists Calder United and FC Bulleen will clash in Round 10.
BT Connor Reserve will first host top tier women’s football in Round 3, with a blockbuster Friday night clash scheduled between the Lions and Calder United.
The Nike F.C. Cup Final rematch between South Melbourne and Calder will take place in Round 9 at Lakeside Stadium, while FC Bulleen will host the first 2022 Grand Final rematch a week later in Round 10.
To access the fixtures visit www.websites.mygameday.app/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-10178-0-0-0&a=COMPS