Newcastle Croatia FC will start life in HIT106.9 Northern League One when they host South Cardiff FC in the opening round of the 2026 season in February.
Newcastle Croatia were promoted as premiers of Zone League One in 2025 and will open their HIT106.9 Northern League One campaign against South Cardiff at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Saturday 14 March.
2026 will see New Lambton FC return to the HIT106.9 Northern League One competition after they were relegated from the NPL Men’s NNSW competition in 2025.
The Golden Eagles will welcome Wallsend FC to Alder Park on Saturday 14 March to open their season in the HIT106.9 Northern League One competition, returning to the league after competing in NPL Men’s NNSW since 2023.
Elsewhere in round one, West Wallsend SFC will welcome Lake Macquarie City FC to Johnston Park on Friday 13 March and Toronto Awaba FC will meet Dudley Redhead United at Lyall Peacock Oval on Saturday 14 March. Singleton Strikers will make the trip to Turner Park to face Cessnock City Hornets on Sunday 15 March.
The team that finishes first in HIT106.9 Northern League One will be promoted to NPL Men’s NNSW for 2027 following the return of promotion/relegation in 2024.
The finals series will remain the same consisting of a Promotion/Relegation Play-Off series between the teams that finish second, third and fourth in HIT106.9 Northern League One and the team that finishes 11th in the NPL Men’s NNSW to determine the final team in NPL Men’s NNSW in 2027.
Relegation will return in 2026 with the team that finishes 10th in HIT106.9 Northern League One relegated to Zone League One in 2027.
While the team that finishes first in Zone League One in 2026 will be promoted to HIT106.9 Northern League One in 2027.
Northern NSW Football General Manager Football Operations Liam Bentley said he looked forward to another entertaining season in the HIT106.9 Northern League One competition.
“Last season was the most thrilling HIT106.9 Northern League One season we’ve had in recent memory, with Kahibah FC being crowned premiers and automatically promoted to the NPL Men’s NNSW competition, while the fight to avoid relegation went down to the last second,” Bentley said.
“Newcastle Croatia and New Lambton FC will join HIT106.9 Northern League One in 2026 and we look forward to seeing what they can bring to the competition.
“We have made a concerted effort to spread the matches for each league throughout the weekend again this season, with Friday night football continuing and multiple time slots on Saturdays and Sundays to make it easier for everyone to get to or watch more games than ever before.
“We can’t wait to kick off the season and wish all teams the best for 2026.”
There will also be special commemorative rounds for:
- Female Football Week from 8 to 17 May
- Pride Round from 19 to 21 June
- Indigenous Round from 17 to 19 July
- Mental Health Week from 7 to 9 August
The full 2026 HIT106.9 Northern League One fixture list is available HERE.
For help on how to download Squadi and find your team click HERE.
2026 HIT106.9 Northern Legue One Round One Fixtures
West Wallsend SFC v Lake Macquarie City FC – Johnston Park – Friday 13 March – 8pm
Newcastle Croatia FC v South Cardiff FC – Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility – Saturday 14 March – 5pm
Toronto Awaba FC v Dudley Redhead United – Lyall Peacock Oval – Saturday 14 March – 5pm
New Lambton FC v Wallsend FC – Alder Park – Saturday 14 March – 7pm
Cessnock City Hornets v Singleton Strikers FC – Turner Park – Sunday 15 March - 5pm
All fixtures are subject to change.