Super Netball rivals bound for Bendigo in 2026

The Vixens and Mavericks will do battle in the Bound 4 Bendigo pre-season match at Red Energy Arena on Dja Dja Wurrung Country on 5 March. The event will also feature a curtain raiser intra-club match, showcasing local Victorian Netball League club the Bendigo Strikers.

Following the success of last year’s event, Bound 4 Bendigo will again be delivered in partnership with the City of Greater Bendigo and the Victorian Government’s Significant Sporting Events Program.

The partnership will also extend beyond the on-court action, with Netball Victoria delivering community activities in the region including netball clinics, school visits, and umpiring and coaching development opportunities for local officials.

Tickets for Bound 4 Bendigo will go on sale to Vixens members on Tuesday 9 December, and to the general public on Wednesday 10 December.

The pre-season match will be one of the final steps 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:

“There’s nothing like the intensity of a local sporting rivalry, and we’ve been building that with the Mavericks and with our Super Netball fans all over the state in the past couple of years.

“We’re excited to partner with the City of Greater Bendigo and the Victorian Government to bring elite netball to the region again in 2026, and to engage with such a passionate local netball community.

“Sport is the lifeblood of many Victorian communities and Bendigo’s no different. Connecting with young netballers at a local school or at a clinic is just as special for our Vixens as playing in front of a packed house at Red Energy Arena – we’re looking forward to doing both in March.”

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

“Pre-season matches are a crucial part of our preparation so there is a strong performance element to these events, but our team also loves to get out into the community, meeting the next generation of Victorian netballers and putting all their hard work into action in front of a big crowd.

“Coming from regional Victoria myself, I know firsthand the impact of connecting young netballers in regional areas with their heroes – these pre-season events are an invaluable opportunity for us to do that.”

Member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan said:

“Melbourne Vixens’ Bound 4 Bendigo will be bigger than ever in 2026 with this blockbuster local derby. It’s elite sport in the heart of regional Victoria.”

City of Greater Bendigo Manager Economy & Experience, James Myatt said:

“Netball fans are in for a real treat with a fantastic lineup of community activities and the chance to see young Bendigo Strikers shine at Bound 4 Bendigo, before a thrilling pre-season showdown between rivals Vixens and Mavericks at Red Energy Arena.”

2026 BOUND 4 BENDIGO

Thursday 5 March
Red Energy Arena, Bendigo (Dja Dja Wurrung)

• 5.45pm – Bendigo Strikers curtain raiser
• 7pm – Melbourne Vixens vs Melbourne Mavericks

Tickets on sale

• 12pm Tuesday 9 December – Vixens member pre-sale
• 12pm Wednesday 10 December – general public

FULL EVENT DETAILS