| Organising body | Football Victoria |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 as National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 |
| Country | Australia |
| State |  Victoria |
| Number of teams | 14 |
| Level on pyramid | 3 |
| Promotion to | NPL Victoria |
| Relegation to | Victoria Premier League 2 |
| Domestic cup(s) | Australia Cup Dockerty Cup |
| Current champions | Melbourne Victory Youth |
| Most championships | Dandenong City (2 titles) |
The Victoria Premier League 1[1] (formerly National Premier Leagues Victoria 2, 2014-2024), commonly referred to as VPL 1, is a semi-professional soccer league in Victoria, Australia. The league is the second-highest in the Victorian league system, behind the National Premier Leagues Victoria, and forms the third tier of the overall Australian league system.
Originally founded as NPL 1 in 2014, it has undergone several changes in competition structure since its inception. Comprising 14 teams in its first season, the league then featured 20 teams divided into two geographic East and West conferences from 2015–19. With the creation of NPL Victoria 3 in 2020, a state-wide second division was re-founded, comprising 12 clubs. Beginning from the 2024 season, NPL Victoria 2 and NPL Victoria 3 have reverted to Victoria Premier League, the name prior to the formation of the National Premier Leagues.[1]
In the 2024 season, Football Victoria has included a provision where relegation of the bottom two teams is suspended for that season, under the condition that a National Second Division commences in 2025.[2] Under this provision, the bottom placed team may be relegated in the 2025 season.
The competition is administered by Football Victoria, the governing body of the sport in the state.
- ^ a b "NPLM/W 2024 Update | Football Victoria". www.footballvictoria.com.au. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ "Advanced Competitions - Rules of Competition 2024 (1).pdf". Google Docs. Football Victoria. 8 February 2024. p. 65. Retrieved 21 February 2024.