Football Australia is pleased to confirm that the 2026 CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships and 2026 CommBank Emerging Socceroos Championships will take place in Melbourne and Sydney, respectively, in April 2026.
Since transitioning from the former National Youth Championships to the CommBank Emerging Socceroos and CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships, the tournament has quickly cemented its place as Australia's premier youth football event.
Now entering its second year under the refreshed identity, the Championships continue to elevate national pathways, providing an enhanced, highly competitive platform for the country's most promising young footballers.
The CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships will take place at the Home of the Matildas at La Trobe University in Melbourne for the Under 15 and 16 Girls from 9 - 15 April 2026.
The CommBank Emerging Socceroos Championships will be held in Sydney from 18-24 April 2026 for the Under 15 and 16 Boys, centred at Valentine Sports Park, with matches scheduled across high-quality venues to support the delivery of the tournament. All Finals matches in both age groups will be played at Valentine Sports Park.
As the flagship youth competitions in the Australian football calendar, these Championships will bring together teams from Football Australia's nine State and Territory Member Federations, all vying for the coveted national title while showcasing their talent in front of national team technical staff.
Embedded within Football Australia's talent identification scheme, the Championships have long been a launchpad for future CommBank Matildas and Subway Socceroos.
Many of today's household names, including Mackenzie Arnold (Football QLD), Jordan Bos (Football VIC), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Football VIC), Emily van Egmond (NNSW Football), Charlotte Grant (Football SA), Josh Nisbet (Football NSW), Hayley Raso (Football QLD), and Kye Rowles (Football QLD), all took their first steps towards international football through this tournament.
The 2026 CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships and 2026 CommBank Emerging Socceroos Championships will feature up to 59 teams across the two events, showcasing some of the most talented youth footballers from across Australia.
Quotes Attributable to Football Australia Interim Chief Executive Officer, Heather Garriock:
"The introduction of the CommBank Emerging Matildas and Emerging Socceroos Championships this year laid important new foundations for our national youth development pathway. As we move into the second edition, we're already seeing how this platform is strengthening the connection between emerging players and our senior national teams.
"By staging the Championships at the Home of the Matildas in Melbourne and Valentine Sports Park in Sydney, we are ensuring that our young footballers continue to experience high-performance environments that reflect the standards and expectations of elite international football.
"These tournaments are now a central pillar in identifying and developing the next wave of Australian talent. They provide a meaningful environment for players, coaches, and match officials to grow, and they reinforce our long-term commitment to building sustainable pathways that support the future of the game."
Quotes Attributable to Minister for Jobs and Tourism and Minister for Sport Steve Kamper:
"The NSW Government is proud to continue its partnership with Football Australia to build a legacy for future generations of footballers and ensure the game continues to flourish in the long-term.
"As the nation's home of football, Sydney provides the perfect stage for our future national heroes to showcase their skills at the CommBank Emerging Socceroos Championships. The tournament not only provides an important pipeline of outstanding Australian footballers but will also bring hundreds of players, staff, officials and supporters from across the country to Sydney, providing a vital boost to the local businesses and jobs that rely on our visitor economy."
2026 CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships
Venue: Home of the Matildas, Bundoora, Melbourne, Victoria
Dates: 9 - 15 April 2026
2026 CommBank Emerging Socceroos Championships
Venue: Valentine Sports Park, Glenwood, Sydney, New South Wales
Dates: 18 - 24 April 2026
Fixtures and squads for the 2026 CommBank Emerging Matildas Championship and Emerging Socceroos Championship will be released in the coming months.
