Fixture

The countdown is over - footy fans can mark their calendars, with the 2025/26 TIO Northern Territory Football League Premier League season officially kicking off on Thursday 2 October 2025 at TIO Stadium. 

 

Round One launches with four straight days of action at the home of Top End football - TIO Stadium, with Nightcliff and the Tiwi Bombers opening the Men’s Premier League season under lights on Thursday night. 

 

The Friday night fixture will deliver a must-watch 2024/25 TIO NTFL Men’s Premier League Grand Final rematch between Southern Districts and St Mary’s, following the first look at the reigning Women’s Premier League premiers, St Mary’s, as they launch their title defence against Southern Districts. The Saints impressed throughout last season and will be looking to pick up where they left off. 

 

The momentum carries into the weekend, with fierce rivals Wanderers and Darwin Buffaloes clashing on Saturday, before Waratah, PINT, Nightcliff, and Tiwi Bombers round out Round One in Sunday’s triple-header. 

 

Palmerston Magpies will have the bye in both Men’s and Women’s Premier League competitions. 

 

Head of AFL Northern Territory, Sam Gibson, said Round One offers the perfect launchpad for the season. 

 

“There’s no better way to launch the TIO NTFL season than four days of footy at TIO Stadium, from the Men’s grand final rematch to a first look at our reigning Women’s premiers, Round One has it all,”  

 

“Footy is more than a game to Territorian's, it’s a heartbeat of our communities, a great unifier across regions and cultures - Round One sets the tone not just for the season ahead, but for everything footy means to our people. From our elite athletes to the volunteers on the sidelines, the TIO NTFL brings us together in a way nothing else can.” 

 

“We extend our thanks to all our partners, clubs, umpires, and volunteers who help bring this competition to life. And of course, valued premier partners TIO, MACC, NT Government, INPEX, Cazalys Palmerston Club, and all others who continue to support and invest in the growth of Territory footy.” 

 

Adding to the buzz in the Top End, Darwin will also host the 42^nd AFL Masters National Carnival, the largest mass participation football event in Australia.  

 

With 3,500 participants from across the country travelling to Darwin to compete in age divisions for both men and women, the Carnival will bring a festival of footy and celebration to the region - timed to coincide with the start of the 2025/26 TIO NTFL season. 

 

Round 1 - 2025/26 TIO NTFL Premier League Fixture

 

Thursday 2 October  

TIO Stadium 

• 7:15pm - Men’s Premier League: Nightcliff vs Tiwi Bombers 

 

Friday 3 October  

TIO Stadium 

• 6:00pm - Women’s Premier League: St Mary’s vs Southern Districts 
• 8:00pm - Men’s Premier League: St Mary’s vs Southern Districts 

 

TIO Oval 2 

• 6:00pm - Men’s Premier League Reserves: St Mary’s vs Southern Districts 

 

Saturday 4 October  

TIO Stadium 

• 2:00pm - Men’s Premier League: Wanderers vs Darwin Buffaloes
• 4:30pm - Women’s Premier League: Wanderers vs Darwin Buffaloes
• 6:30pm - Men’s Premier League Reserves: Wanderers vs Darwin Buffaloes 

 

Sunday 5 October 

TIO Stadium 

• 12:00pm - Men’s Premier League Reserves: Nightcliff vs Banks
• 2:00pm - Women’s Premier League: Nightcliff vs Tiwi Bombers
• 4:00pm - Men’s Premier League: Waratah vs PINT
• 6:30pm - Women’s Premier League: Waratah vs PINT 

 

TIO Oval 2 

• 1:30pm - Men’s Premier League Reserves: Waratah vs PINT 

 

Bye: Palmerston Magpies (Men’s and Women’s) 

 

The full fixture for the 2025/26 TIO NTFL season will be released in late August via PlayHQ