Gisborne will play in the Bendigo Football Netball League next season, with the league releasing its fixture for next season.
The Bulldogs tried to leave the league in the off season, but that was knocked back by both the Bendigo league and AFL Victoria.
The club at the time was adamant it wouldn’t play in the Bendigo league next season.
The Bendigo season will kick off on 28 March with newcomers Broadford to play South Bendigo in a standalone season opener.
Round one will feature over two days on the Easter long-weekend.
Gisborne will start its season on Good Friday against Kangaroos Flat.
Castlemaine kick off their 2026 campaign by hosting Golden Square on Good Friday at Camp Reserve.
A blockbuster grand final re-match between Eaglehawk and Sandhurst will be the standalone fixture on Easter Saturday.
Round four will be played across two weekends, 25 April and 2 May, and will feature two marquee Rounds:
2026 sees a repeat of our 2025 Anzac Day matchup with South Bendigo hosting Eaglehawk at the QEO in what is one of the most anticipated days of the BFNL calendar.
Gisborne will play that weekend.
The Pat Cronin Foundation Round will be held on 2 May.
The BFNL will host the Ovens and Murray on Saturday 23 May for interleague.
In partnership with traditional owners of djandak (Country) in Central Victoria, Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung People), BFNL Indigenous Round returns in round seven on 30 May. The Indigenous Round feature match for 2026 will be played at Wade Street as Golden Square hosts South Bendigo.
The BFNL will pause for a league-wide general bye for the middle weekend of the July school holidays on 4 July.
Finals will start on 29 and 30 August, with grand final day on Saturday 19 September.
