What Happened to Australian Football League (AFL)?

The Australian Football League (AFL) has navigated a period of significant transformation and growth, solidifying its status as a premier sporting organization in Australia. A pivotal development was the announcement in September 2022 of a monumental seven-year, $4.5 billion broadcast rights deal with the Seven Network, Foxtel, and Telstra, which commenced with the 2025 season and extends through to 2031. This agreement, the largest sports broadcast rights deal in Australian history, significantly bolstered the league's financial stability and allowed for increased investment across all levels of the game.

Leadership transitioned in May 2023, with Andrew Dillon taking over from Gillon McLachlan as the new AFL CEO. Dillon's tenure has focused on strategic growth, game development, and refining the league's executive structure. Under his leadership, the AFL reported an underlying operating surplus of $67.9 million in 2025, a substantial increase from $45.4 million in 2024. Total AFL club membership also reached a record 1,363,437 members in 2025, demonstrating robust fan engagement.

A key turning point for the league's expansion vision was the unanimous decision in May 2023 to award the 19th AFL license to the Tasmania Football Club, nicknamed the Devils, with their entry into the senior men's and women's competitions slated for 2028. In preparation, the Tasmania Football Club began fielding teams in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and Victorian Football League Women's (VFLW) in 2026. The Devils unveiled their inaugural VFL jumpers in March 2026 and played their first competitive VFL match on March 21, 2026, winning against Coburg. Further details on their list build concessions, including access to a $5 million signing bonus pool and specific father-son rules, were released in May 2026, aiming to ensure the new team is competitive from the outset. In July 2026, former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley was appointed as Tasmania's inaugural AFL coach, signing a five-year deal.

The 2026 AFL season itself brought significant on-field changes. In October 2025, the AFL announced seven rule modifications for the 2026 season, notably scrapping the centre bounce (replacing it with a centre ball-up) and removing the substitute player rule in favor of a five-player interchange. The season also introduced a five-week finals series featuring the top ten clubs for the first time, a change aimed at protecting the value of the broadcast deal by reducing 'dead rubber' matches. The 2026 season commenced with an 'Opening Round' in March, expanding to include a match in Victoria for the first time. As of September 26, 2026, the league was preparing for the 2026 AFL Grand Final between the Brisbane Lions and the Fremantle Dockers, with the Lions aiming for a third consecutive premiership after winning in 2024 and 2025.

The AFL Women's (AFLW) competition has also seen continued expansion and increasing popularity. Having grown to 18 teams by 2022, the AFLW's 2026 season, its eleventh, runs from August to late November. North Melbourne Kangaroos, after winning premierships in 2024 and 2025, are aiming for a historic three-peat in the 2026 AFLW season. The league continues to explore initiatives like AFL/AFLW double-headers to boost engagement. The AFL's current status reflects a dynamic and financially robust organization, strategically investing in its future through expansion, rule evolution, and a strong focus on both its men's and rapidly growing women's competitions.