2026 Premier League Finals Week 1

PREMIER LEAGUE – WEEK 1 FINALS PREVIEW
The road to glory starts here!
The regular season is done, and now the real pressure begins! Week 1 of the Premier League finals brings two elimination clashes where seasons are on the line, plus two Intercomp seeding matches that will set the tone for the weeks ahead.

With four big matchups on the card, there’s no room for complacency. Some teams will be looking to carry their regular-season dominance into finals, while others will be hoping to turn the tables when it matters most.

FIRST ELIMINATION FINAL
Caribou vs Islanders
Caribou enter the first elimination final with a strong psychological advantage after comfortably accounting for the Islanders in their Round 8 regular-season meeting, winning 1055–878.

That was a convincing 177-point victory, and Caribou will be confident they have the firepower to repeat the performance, and keep their 3 peat dreams alive. Their scoring potential makes them a dangerous opponent, particularly in a do-or-die final where every point counts.

But the Islanders have another chance to prove that the gap between the two sides isn't as big as the previous result suggests. Finals football has a different intensity, and they'll need to produce their best performance of the season to keep their campaign alive.

The verdict: Caribou have the form and the head-to-head result, but the Islanders will be fighting for survival. Expect a desperate challenge from the underdogs, with Caribou looking to book their place in the next round.

Tip: Caribou to advance.

⚡ SECOND ELIMINATION FINAL
Storm vs Llamas
This matchup shapes as one of the most intriguing contests of the opening week. The Storm and Llamas met last week with the Llamas edging out a narrow 887–876 victory.

Just 11 points separated the sides, making this a genuine toss-up heading into the finals. The Llamas will take confidence from their recent win, knowing they have already shown they can get the job done against the Storm.

For the Storm, the challenge is clear: find those extra points that could make all the difference. With their season on the line, they'll be determined to reverse the Round 9 result and send the Llamas packing.

The Llamas, meanwhile, will be keen to prove that their narrow regular-season victory was no fluke and that they can handle the pressure of finals football.

The verdict: This one could go right down to the wire. The Llamas have the recent head-to-head advantage, but the Storm will be desperate to keep their season alive.

Tip: Llamas in a thriller.

INTERCOMP WEEK 1 – SEEDING MATCH
Vultures vs Kickers
The Vultures and Kickers meet in an important Intercomp seeding clash, with both sides looking to make an early statement.

Their Round 6 encounter produced a clear result, with the Vultures defeating the Kickers 936–780. A 156-point margin suggests the Vultures had a significant advantage when these teams last met.

The Vultures will be looking to reproduce that performance while the Kickers will need to lift considerably on their Round 6 output if they're to challenge the Vultures and secure a favourable seeding position. The good news is that a fresh contest offers a chance to put the previous result behind them.

The verdict: The Vultures start as clear favourites on the strength of their earlier victory, but the Kickers have an opportunity to make a statement of their own.

Tip: Vultures to take the win.

INTERCOMP WEEK 1 – SEEDING MATCH
All Stars vs Kruisers
The final matchup of Week 1 sees the All Stars take on the Kruisers in a contest where the previous head-to-head result heavily favours one side.

When these teams met in Round 1, the All Stars delivered a commanding 859–639 victory, winning by a massive 220 points.

That result gives the All Stars plenty of confidence heading into this encounter. They'll be aiming to show that their earlier dominance can translate into another strong performance and a favourable Intercomp seeding position.

For the Kruisers, the challenge is to produce a much stronger showing than they managed in Round 1. They'll need a significant improvement in scoring to stay competitive and disrupt the All Stars' plans.

Seeding matches still carry plenty of importance, and neither side will want to waste an opportunity to build momentum heading further into the competition.

The verdict: The All Stars have a substantial head-to-head advantage and will be expected to control this contest. The Kruisers need a major turnaround to cause an upset.

Tip: All Stars to win comfortably.


THE BOTTOM LINE
The opening week promises plenty of action, with two teams facing elimination and four sides battling to establish their Intercomp positions.

The Caribou and All Stars will take confidence from their previous dominant performances, while the Vultures will also be looking to continue their winning record against the Kickers. The Storm and Llamas, however, look set for the tightest battle of the week after their Round 9 thriller.

Four matchups. Two elimination finals. One huge opening week.

The finals are here — and now it's time to deliver when it counts!

Good luck all.

 

The Islanders lineup for the Elimination Final against the Caribou @FreeKickLiam, subject to change

Def - H Cordner, D D’arcy, Gay (C Fitzgerald)
Mid - Tyanna Smith, E Roberts, Goldsworthy, O O’Dwyer (L Stone)
Fwd - Gould, Riggs, V Wall (Gee)
Ruck - L Wales (M Quinn)
IC - K Rennie, I Lewis (V Patterson)

Not selected - Amy Smith (inactive), Sarah Howley (injured), Katie Brennan (injured), Emily Bates (injured), Sophia Hurley (injured), Mischa Barwin (injured)