While it is the same schedule of matches as what would have been followed through 2020, the league has locked in a start date of Saturday, April 17, with the 17-round home and away season to run through until August 14.

Finals will then start and conclude with grand final day on Saturday, September 11 at Mars Stadium.

The Queen's birthday long weekend break has been maintained, with no play on Saturday, June 12.

Sunday, May 16 has been booked for the under-12 lightning premiership carnival, while the junior interleague showdown with Colac and District has been set for Sunday, May 30.

The Central Highlands Netball League will follow the same fixture.

Meanwhile, the boards of the CHFL and Ballarat Football Netball League have agreed on a Mars Stadium grand final structure across the next three years.

The BFLWomen's decider will be at Mars Stadium on the first Saturday in September before the Central Highlands league takes centre stage the following Saturday. The next day will be the Ballarat league's junior football and netball grand finals, before the BFNL's senior deciders are held on the third Saturday of the month.

Both leagues have worked closely with the City of Ballarat.