Ballarat Blitz set to return for third year

On the weekend of 21-22 February, reigning SSN champions the Vixens will host fellow 2025 finalists the Adelaide Thunderbirds, NSW Swifts and West Coast Fever for a series of pre-season matches at Ballarat’s Selkirk Stadium on Wadawurrung Country.

Following two highly successful events in 2024-25, the Ballarat Blitz will once again be delivered in partnership with the City of Ballarat and the Victorian Government’s Significant Sporting Events Program.

Off the court, the event will also see Netball Victoria deliver community activities in the region including clinics and school visits, while umpiring and coaching development opportunities will provide local officials with the chance to learn from accredited experts.

In addition to the pre-season activity, the partnership will involve a showcase of Victorian Netball League matches to be played at Selkirk Stadium in June, giving local netballers the opportunity to watch the state’s exciting pre-elite and pathway talent up close.

Tickets for the Ballarat Blitz will go on sale to Vixens members on Thursday 27 November, and to the general public on Friday 28 November.

The February pre-season matches will play a key role in the Vixens’ preparation ahead of Round 1, where they’ll face the Queensland Firebirds in Brisbane on Sunday 15 March.

Netball Victoria CEO, Andrea Pearman said:

“Almost half of our netball participants in Victoria are regionally based, so we’re excited to continue partnering with the City of Ballarat and the Victorian Government to bring more elite netball to regional Victoria in 2026.

“Our athletes love getting out into the community – particularly in Ballarat where the Vixens have so much support – and these pre-season events are fantastic opportunities for us to bring the world’s best, right to the doorstep of the next generation of Victorian netballers.”

Netball Victoria General Manager, High Performance and Pathways, Sharelle McMahon said:

“These matches are a really important part of our preparation for season 2026 – we want to go back-to-back, and that starts with everything we do in pre-season so heading to Ballarat will be a great opportunity for us.

“We’re really grateful to have the support of netball fans right across the state, and we can’t wait to test ourselves against quality opposition in front of brilliant Ballarat crowds again.”

Victorian Government Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said:

“The Ballarat Blitz has quickly become an essential date on Victoria’s sporting events calendar with our Vixens returning to regional Victoria for a series of exciting Suncorp Super Netball pre-season action in 2026.

“We’re proud to support the Ballarat Blitz through the Significant Sporting Events Program, delivering elite sport to regional Victoria, filling our hotels and boosting businesses across the state.”

Member for Eureka Michaela Settle said:

“The return of the Ballarat Blitz shows just how strongly our community embraces elite netball. It’s a brilliant opportunity for young players across Eureka to see their heroes up close and be inspired to take their own game to the next level. We’re thrilled to welcome the Vixens and visiting teams back to Ballarat for another blockbuster weekend.”

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said:

“The Ballarat Blitz has made a huge impact on Ballarat in its first two years and I’m sure the third will be bigger and better than ever before.

“In addition to the Blitz, we also look forward to further opportunities to host elite matches in Ballarat in 2026 as Netball Victoria continues to drive grassroots netball and community participation in Ballarat.”

2026 BALLARAT BLITZ

Selkirk Stadium, Ballarat (Wadawurrung)
Saturday 21 February

• 3pm – NSW Swifts vs Adelaide Thunderbirds
• 5.15pm – Melbourne Vixens vs West Coast Fever

Sunday 22 February

• 11am – West Coast Fever vs NSW Swifts
• 1.15pm – Melbourne Vixens vs Adelaide Thunderbirds

Tickets on sale

• 12pm Thursday 27 November – Vixens member pre-sale
• 12pm Friday 28 November – general public

FULL EVENT DETAILS