Mars Stadium will host a series of matches on 28 June, 8 July and 19 July as part of the 2026 Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys, with all games free to attend.
The Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys is an annual series showcasing the country's best school-age football talent. This marks the first time the championships will be played at Mars Stadium in Ballarat.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves, welcomed the event to the Ballarat calendar as one not to miss.
"We're thrilled to welcome the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys to Mars Stadium for the first time," she said.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for our community to bring the family along for a free day out and watch some of Australia's top draft prospects in action.
"Mars Stadium is quickly becoming a premier sporting destination, and Ballarat locals will have a front row seat to some of the best emerging AFL talent right here in our city."
The Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys provide an important pathway for young players to test themselves against the nation's best and impress recruiters ahead of the Telstra AFL Draft later in the year.
Strong performances at the championships often lead to early selection in the draft, with many players going on to make an impact in their debut AFL seasons.
AFL Head of Talent, Nicky Couston said the upcoming matches at Mars Stadium would highlight young talent from across the country.
"The Marsh AFL National Championships are the highest level of representative football and provide emerging players an opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage," she said.
"We're looking forward to hosting four matches at Mars Stadium this year and having the next generation of stars from across Australia display their talent in front of the Ballarat community".
Admission is free, with open entry and seating allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
For those unable to attend, matches will be broadcast via the AFL Match Centre on AFL.com.au and the AFL app.
2026 Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys at Mars Stadium, Ballarat
Sunday 28 June, 11am: Victoria Metro v Allies
Wednesday 8 July, 10.30am: Victoria Country v South Australia
Wednesday 8 July, 1pm: Allies v Western Australia
Sunday 19 July, 11am: Victoria Country v Victoria Metro
Archie Elliot from Horsham will represent Vic Country (GWV Rebels) in the 2026 Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys. Image supplied.
