The revamped Illawarra Premier League 2 will finally get underway this weekend after a comprehensive pre-season.
There are plenty of familiar faces this year and standout signings, as well as some new clubs with ambitions of shaking up the established competition.
Here is a look at all the teams competing in 2026.
Balgownie Rangers
The Rangers have had a busy off-season and made a series of shrewd acquisitions, such as 2024 PL 1 Second Grade player of the season Brodie O’Neill in midfield.
Balgownie has further bolstered the midfield areas with talented youngster Lucas Bond and former South Coast United and Gerringong Breakers star Alex Galbraith.
The side started their Bert Bampton Cup campaign in flying fashion with a 5-3 win over UOW, including a brace for Galbraith.
They will kick off their league campaign away to Thirroul Thunder on Saturday, ahead of what could be a bumper season.
Dandaloo
Dandaloo return to the Men’s Premiership fold with a competitive squad as it looks to make an early splash in the competition.
The side is littered with PL 1 experience, including Kyle Senior, Kyle Kirkland, Jacob Martin, Jeremy Flanagan, and Nick High.
Dandaloo claimed an unbeaten double in the top division of the Community League last year, and conceded just nine goals across the regular season.
They suffered a battling defeat to PL 1 outfit Shellharbour FC in Round 1 of the Bert Bampton Cup, but will hope for better fortunes against Oak Flats Falcons on the opening day of the league season.
Fernhill
The Foxes have worked to keep the core of their squad together for another year, following their third consecutive grand final appearance in 2025.
Aidan Breslin, Kyle Del, Josh Crapis, Jordan Hughes and Brendan Pattman, among others, have stuck around for 2025.
There has also been the introduction of a few new faces, such as former Bulli and Wollongong Olympic midfielder Dylan Hogan.
Fernhill face Gerringong in Round 1 as they look to get off to a better start than last season, when they lost their opening two games, conceding a combined 15 goals.
Gerringong
Gerringong will target another top-five finish in the competition, having not missed out since their promotion to the Men’s Premiership.
Experienced goalkeeper Joel Lockard and seasoned defenders Jordan Warren and Kasey Kulscar add further stability at the back, signing on again for 2026.
The side has added further quality to the squad this year, signing former A-League player and National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW winner Jacob Poscoliero.
The Breakers travel away to Fernhill in Round 1.
Oak Flats Falcons
The Falcons return to the second tier of Illawarra football after enduring a challenging PL 1 season in 2025, winning just one match, following a bumper campaign in PL 2 the previous year.
There has been a raft of changes at the Keith Bond Oval club, with a new high-pedigree coaching team of Sam Munro, Bojan Caric and Nathan Minutillo taking over the reins.
Despite losing key Japanese attacker Shotaro Iwamoto, the side has kept hold of the likes of Brodely Jeliffe, while adding striker Sami Benten.
Oak Flats have also made an impressive signing in PL 1 stalwart Jack Keating, who will bolster defensive solidity and bring a wealth of high-level experience.
The side take on Dandaloo in the first game of the 2026 season.
Picton Rangers
Picton surged up the table in 2025, finishing in third place after a challenging few previous seasons at the bottom of the table.
The Bush Pigs have kept hold of free-scoring attacker Jayden Russell, who netted 17 goals last campaign.
Goalkeeper Lauchlan O’Bree continues in goal, following his nine clean sheets last season, as well as veteran all-rounder Scott Miranda.
The Rangers start their campaign at their home ground, Hume Oval, against UOW – a venue they stayed unbeaten at in 2025.
Shoalhaven FC
After falling short of their loft standards, Shoalhaven will be keen to make amends in 2026.
Coach Nathan Aldridge has assembled a decent squad. Zac and Josh Hawker will accompany Rocky Lavalle in midfield whilst Harry Connell has proven he is capable of banging some goals.
Their backline appears unchanged and they will need to tighten a few things up if they are going to challenge this year. They are hard to beat at Ison Park, and if they can get their away form going, a finals spot will not be out of the question.
They face a tough first up assignment away to Unanderra.
Thirroul Thunder
The Thunder begin a new era in 2026 under the guidance of former Bellambi and Unanderra coach Steve Dimitrevski.
Thirroul have chosen to keep faith in much of their 2025 squad, which narrowly missed out on a finals place by a solitary point.
The side will rely on dynamic winger Tyler Ball as well as captain Seamus Macken-Walsh in the midfield.
They will get their season underway, welcoming a rejuvenated Balgownie outfit.
Unanderra Hearts
Unanderra will be looking to build on a solid fourth-place finish in 2025 under their new coach Chris Lazarevski.
The Hearts have kept hold of several of their key attackers, such as former Coniston duo Mark Picciolini and Dinko Terzic, while Jake Gander will provide further firepower, signing from Corrimal Rangers after a breakout season.
The club has also retained other experienced players, like midfielder Christian Plakias and defender Will Mobbs.
Unanderra will be eager to put an early exit to Thirroul in the Bert Bampton Cup behind them when they host Shoalhaven this Saturday.
University of Wollongong
UOW will be eager to push back up the table in 2026, having finished 10th last year.
The side last finished in a finals place in 2022, which took them all the way to the Preliminary Final – a game away from the big dance.
The Students have chosen to stick with many of last season’s roster, including creator Cameron Hanson, who netted five goals in 2025 and versatile Japanese technician Kentaro Arai.
Striker Oscar Pruks returns to the club, following a two-year spell with Thirroul, scoring 21 goals over two seasons.
They will face Picton Rangers in Round 1, looking to carry on from a strong finish to 2025, registering back-to-back victories.
