In a major endorsement for football in Western Australia, the registered number of participants now sits at an all-time high.
The overall figure has reached a record 93,002 players, and with multiple competitions and programs still to be played, this number is expected to rise further.
It surpasses the previous benchmark by almost 3,000 participants and is the second straight year the overall participation record has been broken in a monumental achievement.
Chris Bandy, Executive Manager – Participation & Programs Strategy at WA Football, is delighted with the result.
“Participation in WA is extremely healthy and we are excited that new initiatives such as Superkick are being embraced by our younger participants,” Bandy said.
“Community Football in WA is thriving from Auskick to Masters, and the involvement of female participants continues to grow at all levels.
“The Perth Football League has seen a significant participant increase year on year, All Abilities football continues to grow, and our regional and remote communities are turning up to play in record numbers.”
| 2025 | 2026 | |
| Superkick | 1,754 | 3,075 |
| Senior Footy | 24,639 | 25,769 |
| Youth Footy | 17,161 | 17,960 |
| Junior Footy | 25,249 | 27,252 |
| ATSI | 10,265 | 11,030 |
| PBOS (Multi Cultural) | 20,865 | 22,392 |
| Female | 16,109 | 17,477 |
With more than 3,000 participants, Superkick is a new program which engages kids in Year 2 and 3 in a non-tackle format.
Senior Footy numbers have been boosted largely off the back of a stunning season for the Perth Football League, while female football continues to grow, with a focus on creating more all-girls opportunities at the entry level to the game.
Additionally, there are more than 70,000 registered Community Football participants for the first time in WA, with an increase across Juniors, Youth and Senior Footy.
Regionally, the sport is also kicking goals, including:
- Midwest Auskick registrations are up 43% on 2025 with this year being the biggest number on record.
- Remote program registrations have increased 12.5% on 2025 due to the Garnduwa partnership in the Kimberley.
- Football in the Southwest is booming. Southwest Auskick has increased 7%. Southwest Superkick numbers have increased 4%. An additional 188 participants have registered across Community Footy (Junior/Youth/Senior)
- Goldfields School Holiday programs have dramatically increased and been very popular.
- Great Southern have introduced a successful Superkick program in Albany
- Midlands has introduced a successful Superkick program in Northam
- Wheatbelt have introduced two Superkick centres in Katanning and Narrogin with a combined 55 registrations.
- Great Southern female registrations have increased 13%
- Midwest female registrations have increased 10%
Bandy points out that the numbers are reflective of the effort made by countless people around the state.
“We are extremely grateful to all our coaches, umpires, administrators and volunteers whose contribution to football can’t be understated,” he said.
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Acknowledgement of Country
WA Football acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the many lands across Western Australia where we train, play, and come together through football. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people. We recognise the deep and continuing contribution First Nations peoples make to our game and our communities.