The 2026 Youth Club Championship - Fixture Release!

Football SA is pleased to announce the Nova Youth Club Championship 2026 fixtures.  | Click Here – link to Dribl Website

The 2026 season marks the second year of Football South Australia’s restructured youth competition framework under the Nova Youth Club Championship (YCC) model. Building on the foundations established in the inaugural season, the competition continues to focus on enhancing player development and strengthening the competitive environment across the age groups.

The Nova YCC model was introduced to provide players with regular exposure to high-quality competition, while supporting the development of players, coaches, and match officials within a structured and aligned pathway. 

For the 2026 season, the Nova YCC continues to comprise Under 13, Under 14, Under 15, and Under 16 Youth Premier League (YPL) teams. These four age groups combine to form the Nova Youth Club Championship Table. The Under 12 YPL will remain part of the elite player pathway but will not contribute to the Championship table; therefore, the Under 12 YPL Boys (Mixed) will not be graded as in previous seasons. Football South Australia has aligned the Under 12 YPL Boys (Mixed) with the Nova YCC Boys (Mixed) teams to improve integration and ensure fixturing aligns with the tiered competition structure.

The introduction of the Under 18 YPL Girls competition, replacing the former Under 17 YPL Girls league, provides players with an additional year of development within the elite pathway, supporting the players transition into senior football. The Under 17 YPL boys (mixed) and Under 18 YPL Girls teams remain part of the elite player pathway but do not contribute to the Nova YCC table.

Nova Youth Club Championship Table

Championship points are accumulated across all four age groups participating in the tiered competition. While individual league tables are maintained for each age group, promotion and relegation for the Nova YCC 2027 season are determined on a club’s finishing position on the Championship Table.

Clubs can be attributed Nova YCC bonus and deduction points throughout the season. Nova YCC Bonus points and deductions are intentionally weighted to encourage best practice, support coach and player development, and influence positive change in both on-field and sideline behaviour. Coach accreditation, Workshop attendance and the use of Player coaching, player tracking systems and camera systems can earn a club Nova YCC points.  Points may be deducted for disciplinary matters, including red card infringements and matters relating to coach or spectator behaviour.

Nova YCC Tier 3 North and Tier 3 South

A key development for the 2026 season is the introduction of Tier 3 North and Tier 3 South competitions within the Boys structure. This expansion has enabled additional clubs to enter the Nova YCC, further strengthening participation and competitive balance across the pathway. Football SA warmly welcomes new clubs entering Tier 3: Adelaide Titans, Angle Vale Soccer Club, Barossa United Football Club, Elizabeth Downs Soccer Club, Mount Barker United Soccer Club, Pontian Eagles Soccer Club and Plympton Bulldogs.  The Club that finishes top of Tier 3 North and top of Tier 3 South will be promoted to Tier 2 for the following season.

Nova YCC Final Series

A major feature of the restructure was the introduction of a Final Series for the Nova YCC teams. The addition of a final series aims to offer more opportunities for best vs. best matchups towards the end of the season, creating an exciting conclusion for the competition.  The final series is based on individual ladder position and not he Club Championship ladder position.

We are pleased to confirm the Clubs and teams participating in the YCC for the 2026 season are as follows:

Quote: The YCC model has made possible a Super Saturday of football on Saturday 1 August, with Campbelltown City hosting Adelaide City at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre. Club supporters of both clubs can look forward to a full day of action, with Nova YCC Boys (Mixed) matches played alongside the RAA NPL Under 18 and Reserves competitions.