- 2010Inactive
Know This League?
Help record this league’s clubs, seasons and premierships, or correct a missing detail.
League Overview
The Victorian Football League (VFL) is a senior men’s state-league competition featuring clubs from Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania. Founded in 1877 as the VFA, it has operated under the VFL name since 1996.
- Located
- Victoria, Australia
- Founded
- 1877
- First Season
- 1877
- League Status
- Active
- Football Level
- State
- Listed Clubs
- 13
- Listed Divisions
- 1
- Other Names
- Victorian Football AssociationVFA
Club and division counts reflect published FootyHQ profiles. Directory coverage may differ from the league’s complete membership.
- Classification Season
- 2026
- Sport
- Australian Rules Football
Clubs & Divisions
13 Listed ClubsClubs
13 ClubsFootball Level: State
Lions
Brisbane
Brisbane Lions Football Club
Woolloongabba, QLDActive
Blues
Carlton
Carlton Football Club
Carlton North, VICActive
Magpies
Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
Melbourne, VICActive
Bombers
Essendon
Essendon Football Club
Essendon, VICActive
Cats
Geelong
Geelong Football Club
South Geelong, VICActive
Suns
Gold Coast
Gold Coast Suns Football Club
Carrara, QLDActive
Giants
GWS Giants
Greater Western Sydney Football Club
Sydney Olympic Park, NSWActive
Kangaroos
North Melbourne
North Melbourne Football Club
North Melbourne, VICActive
Tigers
Richmond
Richmond Football Club
East Melbourne, VICActive
Saints
St Kilda
St Kilda Football Club
Moorabbin, VICActive
Swans
Sydney Swans
Sydney Swans Football Club
Moore Park, NSWActive
Devils
Tasmania Devils
Tasmania Devils Football Club
Hobart, TASActive
Bulldogs
Footscray
Western Bulldogs Football Club
Footscray, VICActive
Showing published FootyHQ profiles. Directory coverage may differ from a league’s complete membership.
Seasons & Structure
Choose a year to view its recorded league name, divisions and club participation. Unknown dates and missing structures are not inferred.
Name History
| Years | League Name | Short Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1996–Present | Victorian Football League | VFL |
| 1877–1995 | Victorian Football Association | VFA |
Past Participation
Previous participation by club.
- 2001–2008Inactive
- 2000–2002Inactive
- 2000–2002Inactive
- 2000Inactive
- 2000Inactive
- 2000Inactive
League History
Established in 1877 as the Victorian Football Association (VFA). The same competition adopted the Victorian Football League (VFL) name in 1996. This league’s history is separate from the VFL competition that became the AFL in 1990.
In 1896, eight clubs left the VFA to form a separate Victorian Football League, whose first season was played in 1897. That breakaway competition became the Australian Football League in 1990. The VFA continued independently, retaining its own clubs, premierships and records.
The VFA adopted the VFL name in 1996. AFL reserves sides entered the competition in 2000, and teams from the North East Australian Football League joined an expanded VFL in 2021.
Tasmania joined in 2026, extending the competition across four states. The 2026 men’s VFL comprises 22 teams: eight standalone VFL clubs, two AFL-aligned clubs and 12 AFL reserves teams.
Resources & References
Official League Website
afl.com.auVisit the official website for the latest club or competition information.
Updated 29 Oct 2026