The Melbourne Mavericks are thrilled to announce that their opening home game of the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season will be played at Bendigo’s Red Energy Arena, bringing world-class netball to regional Victoria.
Not only will the match be the Mavs’ first game of the season, but Bendigo have earnt the right to host the League’s season-opening game for the 2026 SSN season, which takes place on Saturday 14 March. The first centre pass is scheduled for 5pm local time.
In a blockbuster Round 1 clash on, the Red Energy Arena crowd will be in for a treat, with new Mavs recruit, Jamie-Lee Price, facing her former team - the Giants - for the first time, setting the stage for an electrifying start to the season.
Delivered in partnership with Visit Victoria, the initiative is part of the Mavs’ commitment to making elite netball accessible to as many fans as possible, particularly in regional areas that don’t often get the chance to experience this level of competition.
With this announcement, the club’s ties to only Bendigo continue to grow, with local talent, Charlotte Sexton, having recently been announced as joining the club as a Training Partner for the 2026, and Tracey Brereton returning as the Mavs Reserves head coach in 2026 after a stellar inaugural season. Brereton also coaches the Bendigo Strikers in the Victorian Netball League (VNL), where Sexton and Teal Hocking - a returning Mavs Reserves player - are key contributors.
Following a successful clinic in Bendigo last month, the Mavs will not only be bringing SSN content to the region, but will also be hosting another clinic, to further share their skills and knowledge with the local netball community.
SEN Teams - owners of the Mavericks license - already enjoy a strong relationship with Bendigo through their ownership of reigning WNBL Champions, Bendigo Spirit, and look forward to building another lasting connection with the local community through netball.
Shae Bolton-Brown, Melbourne Mavericks General Manager, said she was excited that the club could finally reveal the location of their Round 1 home game.
“We’re so excited to bring our first home game of the season to Bendigo,” Bolton-Brown reiterated. “The region has an incredible passion for netball, as we’ve seen with the response to SSN pre-season matches held here previously, as well as the Diamonds’ recent clash against South Africa. This is a fantastic opportunity for fans to see our new recruits Jamie-Lee Price, Tara Hinchliffe and Reilley Batcheldor in Mavs colours for the very first time, and we hope to have a really vocal Bendigo crowd, all cheering on the Mavs.”
Amid the excitement, Bolton-Brown said it was bittersweet that the club would not be returning to Tasmania for an in-season game next year.
“While we’re disappointed we couldn’t make an in-season game in Tasmania work next season - after two wonderful seasons playing at MyState Bank Arena in Hobart -we remain committed to the Tasmanian netball community, and look forward to working with Netball Tasmania to bring further netball content to the state through clinics and workshops."
SSN CEO, Stacey West, said the League was thrilled to kick off its milestone season in regional Victoria.
“Partnering with Visit Victoria lets us bring elite netball straight to regional fans and showcase the incredible passion for the game outside the major cities,” West said.
“Bendigo has always delivered electric crowds - we saw it with the Origin Australian Diamonds in October - and now, with the 2026 season opener starting off here, fans will experience all the skill and passion that makes Suncorp Super Netball the World’s Best Netball League.
“We can’t wait to see the heart and energy of one of Australia’s most passionate netball communities on display as they ignite the start the season.”
After hosting the Origin Australian Diamonds across the past two years, Bendigo has become a standout regional venue for elite netball, delivering the energy and passion of local fans, and welcoming supporters traveling from across the region.
“This game will attract visitors from across the state – filling hotel rooms, restaurants and cafés in a huge boost for Bendigo businesses,” Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos, said.
“We’re proud to support regional events like this because they mean more families will choose to explore Bendigo and support the local economy.”
Member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan, echoed the sentiment.
“Bringing world-class netball to Bendigo shows off the best of our region to viewers from around the world and sends a clear message that Victoria is the place to be for major events.”
“The Diamonds have played twice in Bendigo in the past two years and with the Mavericks coming here to start their season, Bendigo is reaping the rewards of our Government’s support for Australian netball.”
To celebrate this announcement, the Mavs have launched an exclusive Bendigo Membership, giving fans discounted tickets to the Round 1 match and other home games, merchandise benefits, access to a members-only post-match event, and pre-sale ticket opportunities. More information will be available shortly via melbournemavericks.memberlink.net.au/memberhome
Once again, Fox Netball and SEN will grant unrivalled access to SSN in 2026, providing coverage and commentary of the world’s best netball league to audiences in Australia. Every match of the 2026 SSN season will be available live on Kayo Sports, Fox Sports and Binge.
