the ballarat football league season normally commences in early april with the regular season matches finishing in august. upon daylesford's withdrawal from the competition at the end of the 2005 season competing clubs played the opposition clubs twice in the regular season, once at home, once away. this reverted upon north city's admission to the competition in 2008. the finals series is conducted in september with the grand final to decide the premiers for season having been historically held at the ballarat city and eastern ovals. the match attracts crowds of 5000 to 9000 people, with notable attendances of 14602 at the ballarat city oval and 8,800 at the eastern oval for the 1949 and 1977 grand finals respectively.