Junior Champions League: Quality players, quality venues, quality organisation. Play against the best!
The JCL returns for its 4th year! Coming off the back of our biggest and best season yet in 2025 which culminated in an epic Finals Day. We are ready to take 2026 to new heights.
NEW FOR 2026: THE ROAD TO JCL After reviewing the 2025 format, we are bringing back the JCL Qualifiers.
For the first time, the path to the JCL is open to everyone. Qualifiers are open to teams of all levels, giving every aspirational team the chance to prove they belong on the big stage.
2026 Structure
Phase 1: The Qualifiers
- Date: Saturday, May 2nd, 2026
- Venues: Will be advised once all teams have registered for the qualifiers
- Open Entry: Open to teams of all skill levels
- Capacity: Strictly limited to 32 spots per region (per age group)
- Format: All teams play 3 matches on the day
- Progression: The top 8 teams per region will qualify for the JCL Group Stage. The remaining teams are eliminated
Phase 2: JCL Group Stage
- Matchday 1 - Matchday 3 from May 5th - July 2026
- The 8 qualified teams per region are placed into Groups of 4.
- Teams play 3 group games (Mid-week fixtures Tuesday-Thursday)
- This stage returns to our core philosophy: Best vs Best
Phase 3: Finals
- Following the Group Stage, teams split into JCL, JCL2, and JCL3 pathways .
- Matchday 4 is delivered as a Finals Gala Days in August , where the top four placed teams qualify directly for the Quarter Finals.
- The bottom four seeded teams face off against Regional qualifiers in MD4 Playoffs for a chance to progress into the Quarter Finals.
- Winners advance to Matchday 5 – Finals Day , where the season concludes in spectacular fashion.
- Fireworks. Flames. Entertainment. Semi-Finals and Grand Finals across all categories.
This ensures competitive balance and meaningful matches for all qualified teams through to the end of the season.
About the Competition
- Schedule: Group games are played once a month mid-week (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) to complement regular club duties
- Locations: Hosted at high-quality facilities across South, East, North, West, and Regional zones.
- Season Length: Qualifiers + 3 Group Games + Finals Series (Minimum 4 matches total for qualified teams, up to 7 matches)
Age Groups (Per Zone)
- Under 8 Boys (Born in 2018) – 7v7
- Under 9 Boys (Born in 2017) – 7v7
- Under 8/9 Girls (Born in 2017/2018) – 7v7
- Under 10 Boys (Born in 2016) – 9v9
- Under 10/11 Girls (Born in 2015/2016) – 9v9
- Under 11 Boys (Born in 2015) – 9v9
- Under 12 Boys (Born in 2014) – 9v9
- Under 13 Boys(Born in 2013) - 9v9
- Under 12/13 Girls (Born in 2013/2014) – 9v9
NOTE: Format may vary due to team numbers per age group.
Fees
Qualifiers Entry Fee
- $100 per team - Includes 3 Qualifier Matches on May 2nd (Shorter Games)
Competition Fees (For Qualified Teams)
- U8 - U9: $890
- U10 - U13: $990