Football Queensland is excited to announce a major evolution of the Kappa Queensland Cup for 2026, with all NPL, FQPL 1–3, and regional FQPL teams to be automatically entered into next year’s competition draw and will join community clubs from across Queensland. 

This evolution represents a significant step in continuing the legacy of one of the largest and most exciting knockout cup competitions in the country, giving clubs from across Queensland the chance to compete on a state-wide stage and bringing local communities into the excitement of the Cup. 

In addition to the teams with automatic entry, nominations will continue to be welcomed and encouraged from clubs outside these leagues to participate, ensuring the competition remains open, accessible and even more exciting for teams across the state.   

“Evolving the Kappa Queensland Cup to include all NPL through to FQPL 3 teams, including our regional FQPL clubs, is about giving more players and clubs across the state the chance to compete with and against the highest level,” FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci said. 

“By bringing regional teams into the heart of the Cup, we’re connecting communities, elevating engagement, and creating a competition that is genuinely statewide and exciting for everyone involved. It also gives regional clubs the opportunity to host high-level opposition, showcase local talent, and be fully part of a competition that drives the growth and progression of football across Queensland.

“This is a major step in growing the game sustainably, lifting standards, and creating meaningful opportunities for communities in every corner of Queensland. It’s about more competition, more pathways, more visibility and chances for players to compete for a trophy that represents football across the whole state, truly making it the Queensland Cup in every sense of the word.”

In line with previous editions of the Kappa Queensland Cup, regional teams will have the opportunity to host SEQ-based opponents in key matches during 2026, namely the Men’s Quarter Final and Women’s Semi Final, strengthening connections across all football communities in the state.  

To accommodate this growth, the FQPL Champions League in its current form will not continue in 2026. This change allows Football Queensland to direct investment into the Kappa Queensland Cup, particularly in regional areas, ensuring the competition continues to provide meaningful opportunities for players and clubs while delivering an even more exciting and accessible knockout format for all communities.  

 *All NPL–FQPL 3 clubs across Queensland will be entered into the 2026 Kappa Queensland Cup draw as part of their Participation Licence Agreement. For men’s teams, this also serves as a nomination into the 2026 Hahn Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds, with the applicable nomination fee payable to Football Australia. For women’s teams, entry into the Cup draw is included as part of their Participation Licence Agreement and License Fee.