2026 AFL season

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Date5 March – 26 September 2026
Teams18
Matches played66
Total attendance2,651,993 (40,182 per match)
2026 AFL premiership season
Date5 March – 26 September 2026
Teams18
Attendance
Matches played66
Total attendance2,651,993 (40,182 per match)
Highest92,231 (round 7, Essendon v Collingwood)
Updated to Adelaide v Port Adelaide (round 8).
← 2025

The 2026 AFL season is the 130th season of the Australian Football League (AFL), the highest-level senior men's Australian rules football competition in Australia. The season features 18 clubs and will run from 5 March to 26 September, comprising a 23-match home-and-away season over 25 rounds, with a five-week finals series featuring the top ten clubs to occur for the first time.

In October 2025, the AFL announced two major changes to be brought into the competition for the 2026 season: the substitute rule was removed in favour of a five-player interchange; and the ball would no longer be bounced in the centre of the ground by a field umpire at the start of quarters and after goals, and would be thrown up instead.[1] The removal of the centre bounce ended a tradition dating back to 1887, with AFL executive general manager of football performance Greg Swann explaining that the skill of bouncing the ball was hindering the development of umpires and that the change would allow umpires to focus more on decision-making and reduce the likelihood of players making accidental umpire contact.[1] The AFL announced seven rule changes to reduce game length by approximately three minutes:[2]

  • The 6–6–6 rule would no longer require at least one player from each team to be in the goalsquare for centre ball-ups.
  • A 'last disposal' free kick would be awarded if the ball crossed the boundary line from a disposal between the 50-metre arcs, unless a nearby player does not attempt to play the ball or blocks an opponent.[a]
  • Ruckmen would no longer be allowed to cross the centre line during centre ball-ups, intended to increase the frequency of jumping ruck contests.
  • Players taking kick-ins would only be given eight seconds to restart play, down from approximately twelve seconds.
  • Field umpires could immediately restart play at around-the-ground ball-ups if a nominated ruckman was too far away or no nomination was made, however the 'third man up' was still not allowed.[b]
  • Players who shrug a tackle would be deemed to have had prior opportunity when considering holding the ball free kicks.
  • Players inside the five-metre protected area after a mark or free kick to an opponent would be required to stand the mark and would no longer be allowed to move out of the area.

Last disposal out of bounds decisions fell within the purview of decisions reviewable by the AFL Review Centre (ARC),[3] as had all out of bounds decisions since the 2025 finals series.[4] There was a key error late in the Geelong v Adelaide match in round 3: the boundary umpire incorrectly paid a last disposal free kick to Geelong instead of Adelaide, and Geelong restarted play before ARC had a chance to intervene, ultimately resulting in a goal to Geelong who won by eight points.[5] The AFL admitted the error the following day and announced a review of its ARC review processes.[3]

The AFL introduced a wildcard finals round, adding an extra week to the existing finals series and increasing the number of finalists from eight to ten; at the end of the home-and-away season, the seventh-placed team would host the tenth-placed team and eighth would host ninth in wildcard finals, before the remainder of the finals series would continue as per the previous final eight system.[6] The change was the first change to the AFL finals system since 2000.[7] The change was negatively received by the AFL Fans Association;[6] however, sports rights analyst Colin Smith explained that the league was protecting the value of the current $4.5 billion broadcast right deal by implementing the new system, with more finalists meaning fewer dead rubber matches later in the home-and-away season.[8]

A State of Origin match took place for the first time since 1999, with Western Australia playing Victoria at Optus Stadium in February 2026;[9] Victoria won the match by 24 points.[10]

Rules governing voting for the Brownlow Medal were changed, to provide umpires a set of player statistics prior to the lodging of votes.[11]

Coach appointments

New coachClubDate of appointmentPrevious coachRef.
Josh Carr Port Adelaide12 February 2025[c]Ken Hinkley[12]
Steven King Melbourne12 September 2025Simon Goodwin[13]

Club leadership

Club Coach Leadership group
Captain(s)Vice-captain(s)Other leader(s)Ref.
Adelaide Matthew Nicks[14]Jordan DawsonBen Keays, Alex Neal-BullenIsaac Cumming, Darcy Fogarty, Reilly O'Brien, Riley Thilthorpe[15]
Brisbane Lions Chris Fagan[14]Harris Andrews, Josh Dunkley,
Hugh McCluggage		Oscar Allen, Will Ashcroft, Jarrod Berry, Jaspa Fletcher, Cam Rayner[16]
Carlton Michael Voss[17]Patrick CrippsSam Walsh, Jacob Weitering[18]
Collingwood Craig McRae[14]Darcy MooreNick Daicos, Brayden MaynardDarcy Cameron, Jamie Elliott, Isaac Quaynor, Lachie Schultz[19]
Essendon Brad Scott[20]Andrew McGrathJye Caldwell, Sam Durham, Brayden Fiorini, Kyle Langford, Nic Martin, Mason Redman[21]
Fremantle Justin Longmuir[22]Alex PearceAndrew Brayshaw, Caleb SerongJordan Clark, Jaeger O'Meara, Sam Switkowski, Josh Treacy, Hayden Young[23]
Geelong Chris Scott[14]Patrick DangerfieldTom Stewart[24]
Gold Coast Damien Hardwick[14]Noah AndersonSam Collins, Touk MillerBen King, Wil Powell, Matt Rowell[25]
Greater Western Sydney Adam Kingsley[14]Toby GreeneJack Buckley, Tom Green, Connor Idun[26]
Hawthorn Sam Mitchell[27]Jai Newcombe, James Sicily[28]
Melbourne Steven King[29]Max GawnJack Viney[30]
North Melbourne Alastair Clarkson[31]Nick LarkeyHarry SheezelCharlie Comben, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Tristan Xerri, Cameron Zurhaar[32]
Port Adelaide Josh Carr[33]Connor RozeeZak Butters, Willem DrewAliir Aliir, Miles Bergman, Mitch Georgiades, Jack Lukosius[34]
Richmond Adem YzeToby NankervisTim TarantoNathan Broad, Tom Lynch, Jack Ross, Jayden Short[35]
St Kilda Ross Lyon[14]Jack Sinclair, Callum WilkieMitch Owens, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Marcus Windhager, Mason Wood[36]
Sydney Dean Cox[14]Callum MillsIsaac Heeney[37]
West Coast Andrew McQualter[14]Liam Baker, Liam DugganMatt Flynn, Reuben Ginbey, Jack Graham, Brandon Starcevich, Jake Waterman[38]
Western Bulldogs Luke Beveridge[14]Marcus BontempelliAaron Naughton, Ed RichardsBailey Dale, Matthew Kennedy, Tom Liberatore, Cody Weightman, Rhylee West[39]

Pre-season

State of Origin

Starting time is local time. Source: afl.com.au

2026 AFL Origin
Saturday, 14 February (4:40 pm) Western Australia 15.11 (101) def. by Victoria 18.17 (125) Optus Stadium (crowd: 58,141)
3.1 (19)
8.4 (52)
11.6 (72)
15.11 (101)
 Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
 6.3 (39)
11.8 (74)
15.11 (101)
18.17 (125)
 Graham Moss Medal: Jesse Hogan (Greater Western Sydney)
E. J. Whitten Medal: Lachie Ash (Greater Western Sydney)
Hogan 5, C. Cameron 3, Jackson 2, Waterman 2, Bolton, Hill, Warner Goals King 4, Dangerfield 2, Greene 2, McCluggage 2, Merrett 2, Bontempelli, Butters, Daicos, Serong, Smith, Xerri
Hogan, Warner, Barrass, Hill, Baker, Bolton Best Daicos, Bontempelli, Serong, King, Butters, Ash, Stewart

Practice matches

All starting times are local time. Source: afl.com.au

Official practice matches
Wednesday, 25 February (7:10 pm) Carlton 13.8 (86) def. Geelong 11.5 (71) Ikon Park
Thursday, 26 February (4:10 pm) Sydney 14.13 (97) def. Greater Western Sydney 8.11 (59) Henson Park
Thursday, 26 February (6:10 pm) Brisbane Lions 19.12 (126) def. Gold Coast 15.11 (101) Brighton Homes Arena
Friday, 27 February (4:10 pm) Melbourne 12.6 (78) def. Richmond 6.7 (43) Mars Stadium
Friday, 27 February (7:10 pm) Western Bulldogs 18.9 (117) def. Hawthorn 11.7 (73) Mission Whitten Oval
Saturday, 28 February (3:10 pm) St Kilda 17.13 (115) def. Essendon 10.12 (72) Mars Stadium
Saturday, 28 February (3:10 pm) Fremantle 12.12 (84) def. Adelaide 9.14 (68) Lane Group Stadium
Sunday, 1 March (3:10 pm) North Melbourne 12.18 (90) def. Collingwood 14.5 (89) Mars Stadium
Sunday, 1 March (3:10 pm) West Coast 9.13 (67) def. by Port Adelaide 22.8 (140) Mineral Resources Park
  • The Melbourne v Richmond match was abandoned with 14 minutes remaining in the third quarter after play was halted twice due to nearby lightning strikes.[40]

Home-and-away season

All starting times are local time. Source: afl.com.au

Opening Round

Opening Round
Thursday, 5 March (7:30 pm) Sydney 20.12 (132) def. Carlton 10.9 (69) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 40,372)
Friday, 6 March (7:05 pm) Gold Coast 19.11 (125) def. Geelong 10.9 (69) People First Stadium (crowd: 19,859)
Saturday, 7 March (4:15 pm) Greater Western Sydney 19.8 (122) def. Hawthorn 14.11 (95) Engie Stadium (crowd: 16,157)
Saturday, 7 March (6:35 pm) Brisbane Lions 15.16 (106) def. by Western Bulldogs 16.15 (111) The Gabba (crowd: 31,606)
Sunday, 8 March (7:20 pm) St Kilda 9.12 (66) def. by Collingwood 11.12 (78) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 82,528)
Bye
  • The crowd of 82,528 for the St Kilda v Collingwood match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match involving St Kilda.[41]

Round 1

Round 1
Thursday, 12 March (7:30 pm) Carlton 10.15 (75) def. Richmond 9.17 (71) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 74,313)
Friday, 13 March (7:40 pm) Essendon 13.5 (83) def. by Hawthorn 21.19 (145) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 71,384)
Saturday, 14 March (1:15 pm) Western Bulldogs 21.8 (134) def. Greater Western Sydney 7.11 (53) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 28,318)
Saturday, 14 March (4:15 pm) Geelong 16.14 (110) def. Fremantle 14.16 (100) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 28,715)
Saturday, 14 March (7:10 pm) Sydney 15.14 (104) def. Brisbane Lions 8.12 (60) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 38,128)
Saturday, 14 March (7:35 pm) Collingwood 11.13 (79) def. by Adelaide 13.15 (93) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 62,482)
Sunday, 15 March (1:10 pm) North Melbourne 17.11 (113) def. Port Adelaide 9.13 (67) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 23,318)
Sunday, 15 March (3:15 pm) Melbourne 18.12 (120) def. St Kilda 15.17 (107) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 44,577)
Sunday, 15 March (5:10 pm) Gold Coast 20.11 (131) def. West Coast 10.12 (72) People First Stadium (crowd: 13,309)
  • Fremantle's quarter-time score of 8.4 (52) was its highest in a match outside of Western Australia,[42] the equal-highest conceded by Geelong since 1983 and the highest conceded by Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.[43]

Round 2

Round 2
Thursday, 19 March (7:30 pm) Hawthorn 14.15 (99) def. Sydney 13.4 (82) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 47,945)
Friday, 20 March (7:10 pm) Adelaide 13.10 (88) def. by Western Bulldogs 14.10 (94) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 49,185)
Saturday, 21 March (1:15 pm) Richmond 9.6 (60) def. by Gold Coast 19.14 (128) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 30,468)
Saturday, 21 March (4:15 pm) Greater Western Sydney 10.14 (74) def. by St Kilda 11.12 (78) Engie Stadium (crowd: 9,149)
Saturday, 21 March (4:35 pm) Fremantle 17.16 (118) def. Melbourne 10.10 (70) Optus Stadium (crowd: 44,736)
Sunday, 22 March (2:45 pm) Port Adelaide 20.13 (133) def. Essendon 10.10 (70) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 36,049)
Sunday, 22 March (3:10 pm) West Coast 17.9 (111) def. North Melbourne 15.4 (94) Optus Stadium (crowd: 47,083)
Bye
  • The crowd of 49,185 for the Adelaide v Western Bulldogs match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away match between the two clubs.[44]
  • The start of the Greater Western Sydney v St Kilda match was delayed by 50 minutes due to nearby lightning.[45] During the match, which St Kilda won by four points, the second quarter ended with the final 29 seconds wiped from the timeclock due to a technical issue that occurred during a software update, with timekeepers unaware of the issue at the time.[46]
  • West Coast's win over North Melbourne ended a 14-match losing streak.[47]

Round 3

Round 3
Thursday, 26 March (7:30 pm) Geelong 9.14 (68) def. Adelaide 9.6 (60) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 20,403)
Friday, 27 March (7:40 pm) Collingwood 13.9 (87) def. Greater Western Sydney 7.12 (54) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 41,607)
Saturday, 28 March (12:35 pm) St Kilda 11.14 (80) def. by Brisbane Lions 17.11 (113) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 31,854)
Saturday, 28 March (1:15 pm) Fremantle 13.25 (103) def. Richmond 6.7 (43) Optus Stadium (crowd: 35,245)
Saturday, 28 March (7:35 pm) Essendon 9.15 (69) def. by North Melbourne 12.9 (81) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 40,154)
Sunday, 29 March (12:00 pm) Port Adelaide 13.12 (90) def. by West Coast 13.14 (92) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 33,754)
Sunday, 29 March (3:15 pm) Carlton 11.11 (77) def. by Melbourne 15.10 (100) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 67,763)
Bye
  • North Melbourne's win was its first over Essendon since 2016, ending a twelve-match losing streak.[48]

Round 4

Round 4
Thursday, 2 April (6:30 pm) Brisbane Lions 17.17 (119) def. Collingwood 10.5 (65) The Gabba (crowd: 34,648)
Friday, 3 April (3:15 pm) North Melbourne 14.12 (96) def. Carlton 13.8 (86) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 45,919)
Friday, 3 April (6:45 pm) Adelaide 11.10 (76) def. by Fremantle 11.12 (78) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 48,627)
Saturday, 4 April (4:15 pm) Richmond 6.12 (48) def. by Port Adelaide 13.12 (90) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 34,471)
Saturday, 4 April (4:35 pm) West Coast 4.11 (35) def. by Sydney 24.19 (163) Optus Stadium (crowd: 50,723)
Sunday, 5 April (3:15 pm) Melbourne 16.13 (109) def. Gold Coast 14.5 (89) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 24,287)
Sunday, 5 April (7:20 pm) Western Bulldogs 14.15 (99) def. Essendon 9.11 (65) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 38,786)
Monday, 6 April (3:15 pm) Hawthorn 13.14 (92) def. Geelong 14.7 (91) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 84,712)
Bye
  • Sydney's 128-point win over West Coast was its biggest win in an away match.[49]

Round 5

Round 5 (Gather Round)
Thursday, 9 April (7:10 pm) Adelaide 17.12 (114) def. Carlton 12.14 (86) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 49,184)
Friday, 10 April (7:10 pm) Collingwood 5.9 (39) def. by Fremantle 7.3 (45) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 47,275)
Saturday, 11 April (12:05 pm) North Melbourne 9.12 (66) def. by Brisbane Lions 13.14 (92) Barossa Park (crowd: 10,613)
Saturday, 11 April (12:45 pm) Essendon 17.11 (113) def. Melbourne 10.8 (68) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 38,006)
Saturday, 11 April (3:45 pm) Sydney 14.16 (100) def. Gold Coast 9.14 (68) Norwood Oval (crowd: 9,228)
Saturday, 11 April (7:05 pm) Hawthorn 15.14 (104) def. Western Bulldogs 8.16 (64) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 48,451)
Sunday, 12 April (12:00 pm) Geelong 17.20 (122) def. West Coast 11.10 (76) Norwood Oval (crowd: 9,434)
Sunday, 12 April (2:45 pm) Greater Western Sydney 20.11 (131) def. Richmond 11.9 (75) Barossa Park (crowd: 10,508)
Sunday, 12 April (6:45 pm) Port Adelaide 9.13 (67) def. by St Kilda 12.9 (81) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 47,319)
  • Fremantle's score of 7.3 (45) against Collingwood was the lowest winning score in the club's history.[50]
  • Essendon's win over Melbourne ended an equal club-record 17-match losing streak.[51]

Round 6

Round 6
Thursday, 16 April (7:30 pm) Carlton 12.11 (83) def. by Collingwood 13.10 (88) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 78,058)
Friday, 17 April (7:20 pm) Geelong 19.17 (131) def. Western Bulldogs 8.8 (56) GMHBA Stadium (crowd: 33,200)
Friday, 17 April (7:50 pm) Sydney 17.5 (107) def. Greater Western Sydney 8.18 (66) Sydney Cricket Ground (crowd: 43,986)
Saturday, 18 April (1:15 pm) Gold Coast 17.17 (119) def. Essendon 17.8 (110) People First Stadium (crowd: 19,039)
Saturday, 18 April (4:15 pm) Hawthorn 13.11 (89) def. Port Adelaide 13.8 (86) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 37,070)
Saturday, 18 April (7:05 pm) Adelaide 15.13 (103) def. St Kilda 15.12 (102) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 45,854)
Sunday, 19 April (1:10 pm) North Melbourne 20.10 (130) def. Richmond 7.13 (55) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 36,584)
Sunday, 19 April (3:15 pm) Melbourne 16.8 (104) def. Brisbane Lions 15.12 (102) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 41,629)
Sunday, 19 April (3:10 pm) West Coast 5.11 (41) def. by Fremantle 14.13 (97) Optus Stadium (crowd: 54,232)
  • Talor Byrne (Carlton) had a shot at goal after the final siren to draw the match against Collingwood, but kicked a behind.[52]
  • Due to nearby lightning, the start of the third quarter of the Sydney v Greater Western Sydney match was delayed by 40 minutes under the AFL's lightning protocols.[53]
  • The crowd of 43,986 for the Sydney v Greater Western Sydney match was the largest crowd for a home-and-away Sydney Derby and the largest between the two clubs at the Sydney Cricket Ground.[54]

Round 7

Round 7 (Anzac Appeal Round)
Thursday, 23 April (7:30 pm) Western Bulldogs 9.6 (60) def. by Sydney 18.18 (126) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 29,523)
Friday, 24 April (7:40 pm) Richmond 11.6 (72) def. by Melbourne 19.12 (126) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 67,364)
Saturday, 25 April (12:30 pm) Hawthorn 16.16 (112) def. Gold Coast 9.9 (63) University of Tasmania Stadium (crowd: 8,263)
Saturday, 25 April (3:20 pm) Essendon 9.6 (60) def. by Collingwood 20.17 (137) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 92,231)
Saturday, 25 April (6:05 pm) Port Adelaide 13.17 (95) def. Geelong 10.5 (65) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 41,164)
Saturday, 25 April (6:15 pm) Fremantle 16.7 (103) def. Carlton 13.11 (89) Optus Stadium (crowd: 54,100)
Sunday, 26 April (1:10 pm) St Kilda 22.11 (143) def. West Coast 5.12 (42) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 29,070)
Sunday, 26 April (3:15 pm) Brisbane Lions 19.13 (127) def. Adelaide 11.9 (75) The Gabba (crowd: 32,629)
Sunday, 26 April (4:40 pm) Greater Western Sydney 15.15 (105) def. North Melbourne 14.14 (98) Corroboree Group Oval (crowd: 12,597)
  • The Hawthorn v Gold Coast match was moved back from 12:15pm to 12:30pm after having mistakenly been scheduled in violation of Tasmanian law prohibiting sporting events from commencing before 12:30pm on Anzac Day; consequently, the Essendon v Collingwood match was moved back by five minutes to minimise overlap between the two matches.[55]
  • The crowd of 54,100 for the Fremantle v Carlton match was the largest crowd for a match between the two clubs.[56]

Round 8

Round 8
Thursday, 30 April (7:30 pm) Collingwood 15.3 (93) drew with Hawthorn 13.15 (93) Melbourne Cricket Ground (crowd: 76,632) Report
Friday, 1 May (7:30 pm) Western Bulldogs 15.12 (102) def. by Fremantle 17.12 (114) Marvel Stadium (crowd: 23,071) Report
Friday, 1 May (7:40 pm) Adelaide 11.10 (76) def. Port Adelaide 11.9 (75) Adelaide Oval (crowd: 53,045) Report
Saturday, 2 May (12:35 pm) Essendon v Brisbane Lions Marvel Stadium
Saturday, 2 May (2:15 pm) West Coast v Richmond Optus Stadium
Saturday, 2 May (4:35 pm) Geelong v North Melbourne GMHBA Stadium
Saturday, 2 May (7:35 pm) Carlton v St Kilda Marvel Stadium
Sunday, 3 May (3:15 pm) Sydney v Melbourne Sydney Cricket Ground
Sunday, 3 May (7:20 pm) Gold Coast v Greater Western Sydney People First Stadium
  • Dylan Moore (Hawthorn) kicked a goal after the final siren to draw the match against Collingwood.[57]

Round 9

Round 9
Thursday, 7 May (6:10 pm) Fremantle v Hawthorn Optus Stadium
Friday, 8 May (7:30 pm) Brisbane Lions v Carlton The Gabba
Friday, 8 May (7:40 pm) Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs Adelaide Oval
Saturday, 9 May (12:35 pm) North Melbourne v Sydney Marvel Stadium
Saturday, 9 May (4:15 pm) Greater Western Sydney v Essendon Engie Stadium
Saturday, 9 May (6:40 pm) Gold Coast v St Kilda TIO Stadium
Saturday, 9 May (7:35 pm) Geelong v Collingwood Melbourne Cricket Ground
Sunday, 10 May (1:10 pm) Melbourne v West Coast Marvel Stadium
Sunday, 10 May (3:15 pm) Richmond v Adelaide Melbourne Cricket Ground

Round 10

Round 10 (Sir Doug Nicholls Round week 1)
Thursday, 14 May (7:30 pm) Brisbane Lions v Geelong The Gabba
Friday, 15 May (7:30 pm) Sydney v Collingwood Sydney Cricket Ground
Friday, 15 May (7:40 pm) Gold Coast v Port Adelaide TIO Stadium
Saturday, 16 May (12:45 pm) Adelaide v North Melbourne Adelaide Oval
Saturday, 16 May (4:15 pm) Melbourne v Hawthorn Melbourne Cricket Ground
Saturday, 16 May (7:35 pm) Carlton v Western Bulldogs Marvel Stadium
Sunday, 17 May (1:10 pm) Essendon v Fremantle Melbourne Cricket Ground
Sunday, 17 May (3:15 pm) St Kilda v Richmond Marvel Stadium
Sunday, 17 May (4:15 pm) West Coast v Greater Western Sydney Optus Stadium

Round 11

Round 11 (Sir Doug Nicholls Round week 2)
Thursday, 21 May (7:30 pm) Hawthorn v Adelaide University of Tasmania Stadium
Friday, 22 May (7:40 pm) Richmond v Essendon Melbourne Cricket Ground
Friday, 22 May (6:30 pm) Fremantle v St Kilda Optus Stadium
Saturday, 23 May (1:15 pm) North Melbourne v Gold Coast Marvel Stadium
Saturday, 23 May (4:15 pm) Geelong v Sydney GMHBA Stadium
Saturday, 23 May (4:35 pm) Collingwood v West Coast Melbourne Cricket Ground
Saturday, 23 May (7:05 pm) Port Adelaide v Carlton Adelaide Oval
Sunday, 24 May (12:30 pm) Greater Western Sydney v Brisbane Lions Engie Stadium
Sunday, 24 May (3:15 pm) Western Bulldogs v Melbourne Marvel Stadium

Round 12

Round 12
Thursday, 28 May (7:30 pm) St Kilda v Hawthorn Marvel Stadium
Friday, 29 May (7:40 pm) Carlton v Geelong Melbourne Cricket Ground
Saturday, 30 May (1:15 pm) Sydney v Richmond Sydney Cricket Ground
Saturday, 30 May (4:15 pm) Brisbane Lions v Fremantle The Gabba
Saturday, 30 May (7:35 pm) Western Bulldogs v Collingwood Marvel Stadium
Sunday, 31 May (2:45 pm) Melbourne v Greater Western Sydney TIO Traeger Park
Sunday, 31 May (5:20 pm) West Coast v Essendon Optus Stadium
Bye

Round 13

Round 13
Thursday, 4 June (7:00 pm) Adelaide v Geelong Adelaide Oval
Friday, 5 June (7:40 pm) Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs Melbourne Cricket Ground
Saturday, 6 June (12:15 pm) North Melbourne v Fremantle Hands Oval
Saturday, 6 June (5:15 pm) Gold Coast v Brisbane Lions People First Stadium
Saturday, 6 June (6:15 pm) West Coast v Port Adelaide Optus Stadium
Sunday, 7 June (3:15 pm) Sydney v St Kilda Sydney Cricket Ground
Sunday, 7 June (7:20 pm) Essendon v Carlton Melbourne Cricket Ground
Monday, 8 June (3:15 pm) Collingwood v Melbourne Melbourne Cricket Ground
Bye

Round 14

Round 14
Thursday, 11 June (7:30 pm) Western Bulldogs v Adelaide Marvel Stadium
Friday, 12 June (7:40 pm) Geelong v Gold Coast GMHBA Stadium
Saturday, 13 June (1:15 pm) Melbourne v Essendon Melbourne Cricket Ground
Saturday, 13 June (2:15 pm) North Melbourne v West Coast Optus Stadium
Saturday, 13 June (7:05 pm) Port Adelaide v Sydney Adelaide Oval
Sunday, 14 June (1:10 pm) Richmond v Brisbane Lions Ninja Stadium
Sunday, 14 June (3:15 pm) St Kilda v Greater Western Sydney Marvel Stadium
Bye

Round 15

Round 15
Thursday, 18 June (6:10 pm) Fremantle v Geelong Optus Stadium
Friday, 19 June (7:40 pm) Gold Coast v Hawthorn People First Stadium
Saturday, 20 June (12:45 pm) Adelaide v Melbourne Adelaide Oval
Saturday, 20 June (4:15 pm) Greater Western Sydney v Carlton Engie Stadium
Saturday, 20 June (7:35 pm) Collingwood v Port Adelaide Melbourne Cricket Ground
Sunday, 21 June (1:10 pm) Richmond v North Melbourne Melbourne Cricket Ground
Sunday, 21 June (3:15 pm) St Kilda v Western Bulldogs Marvel Stadium
Bye

Round 16

Round 16
Dates and times TBC Brisbane Lions v Sydney The Gabba
Carlton v West Coast Marvel Stadium
Collingwood v Richmond Melbourne Cricket Ground
Fremantle v Gold Coast Optus Stadium
Hawthorn v Greater Western Sydney Melbourne Cricket Ground
North Melbourne v Essendon Marvel Stadium
Port Adelaide v Adelaide Adelaide Oval
Bye

Round 17

Round 17
Dates and times TBC Essendon v St Kilda Marvel Stadium
Geelong v Brisbane Lions GMHBA Stadium
Gold Coast v Collingwood People First Stadium
Greater Western Sydney v Fremantle Corroboree Group Oval
Hawthorn v Melbourne University of Tasmania Stadium
Port Adelaide v North Melbourne Adelaide Oval
Richmond v Carlton Melbourne Cricket Ground
Sydney v Western Bulldogs Sydney Cricket Ground
West Coast v Adelaide Optus Stadium

Round 18

Round 18
Dates and times TBC Adelaide v Gold Coast Adelaide Oval
Brisbane Lions v Essendon The Gabba
Carlton v Hawthorn Melbourne Cricket Ground
Collingwood v North Melbourne Marvel Stadium
Fremantle v Sydney Optus Stadium
Greater Western Sydney v Geelong Engie Stadium
Melbourne v Richmond Melbourne Cricket Ground
St Kilda v Port Adelaide Marvel Stadium
Western Bulldogs v West Coast Marvel Stadium

Round 19

Round 19
Dates and times TBC Collingwood v Carlton Melbourne Cricket Ground
Essendon v Greater Western Sydney Marvel Stadium
Geelong v St Kilda GMHBA Stadium
Gold Coast v Western Bulldogs People First Stadium
North Melbourne v Melbourne Marvel Stadium
Port Adelaide v Fremantle Adelaide Oval
Richmond v Hawthorn Melbourne Cricket Ground
Sydney v Adelaide Sydney Cricket Ground
West Coast v Brisbane Lions Optus Stadium

Round 20

Round 20
Dates and times TBC Adelaide v Collingwood Adelaide Oval
Brisbane Lions v Port Adelaide The Gabba
Carlton v Gold Coast Marvel Stadium
Fremantle v West Coast Optus Stadium
Greater Western Sydney v Sydney Engie Stadium
Hawthorn v Essendon Melbourne Cricket Ground
Melbourne v Geelong Melbourne Cricket Ground
North Melbourne v St Kilda Marvel Stadium
Western Bulldogs v Richmond Marvel Stadium

Round 21

Round 21
Dates and times TBC Carlton v Brisbane Lions Marvel Stadium
Collingwood v Geelong Melbourne Cricket Ground
Essendon v Adelaide Marvel Stadium
Fremantle v Western Bulldogs Optus Stadium
Gold Coast v Melbourne People First Stadium
Hawthorn v North Melbourne University of Tasmania Stadium
Port Adelaide v Greater Western Sydney Adelaide Oval
Richmond v West Coast Melbourne Cricket Ground
St Kilda v Sydney Marvel Stadium

Round 22

Round 22
Dates and times TBC Adelaide v Richmond Adelaide Oval
Brisbane Lions v Hawthorn The Gabba
Geelong v Essendon GMHBA Stadium
Greater Western Sydney v Gold Coast Corroboree Group Oval
Melbourne v Fremantle Melbourne Cricket Ground
St Kilda v Carlton Marvel Stadium
Sydney v Port Adelaide Sydney Cricket Ground
West Coast v Collingwood Optus Stadium
Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne Marvel Stadium

Round 23

Round 23
Dates and times TBC Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast The Gabba
Essendon v Sydney Melbourne Cricket Ground
Fremantle v Adelaide Optus Stadium
Greater Western Sydney v West Coast Engie Stadium
Hawthorn v Collingwood Melbourne Cricket Ground
North Melbourne v Geelong Marvel Stadium
Port Adelaide v Melbourne Adelaide Oval
Richmond v St Kilda Melbourne Cricket Ground
Western Bulldogs v Carlton Marvel Stadium

Round 24

Round 24
Dates and times TBC Adelaide v Greater Western Sydney Adelaide Oval
Carlton v Fremantle Marvel Stadium
Collingwood v Brisbane Lions Melbourne Cricket Ground
Essendon v Port Adelaide Marvel Stadium
Geelong v Richmond GMHBA Stadium
Melbourne v Western Bulldogs Melbourne Cricket Ground
St Kilda v Gold Coast Marvel Stadium
Sydney v North Melbourne Sydney Cricket Ground
West Coast v Hawthorn Optus Stadium

Ladder

Updated to Adelaide v Port Adelaide (round 8).

Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts Qualification
1 Fremantle 8 7 1 0 758 570 133.0 28 Finals series
2 Hawthorn 8 6 1 1 829 684 121.2 26
3 Sydney 7 6 1 0 814 457 178.1 24
4 Melbourne 7 5 2 0 697 678 102.8 20
5 Collingwood 8 4 3 1 666 613 108.6 18
6 Brisbane Lions 7 4 3 0 719 605 118.8 16
7 North Melbourne 7 4 3 0 678 585 115.9 16
8 Gold Coast 7 4 3 0 723 632 114.4 16
9 Geelong 7 4 3 0 656 604 108.6 16
10 Adelaide 8 4 4 0 685 709 96.6 16
11 Western Bulldogs 8 4 4 0 720 787 91.5 16
12 Port Adelaide 8 3 5 0 703 634 110.9 12
13 St Kilda 7 3 4 0 657 597 110.1 12
14 Greater Western Sydney 7 3 4 0 605 674 89.8 12
15 West Coast 7 2 5 0 469 840 55.8 8
16 Carlton 7 1 6 0 565 704 80.3 4
17 Essendon 7 1 6 0 570 782 72.9 4
18 Richmond 7 0 7 0 424 783 54.2 0
Source: afl.com.au
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for

Progression by round

Updated to Adelaide v Port Adelaide (round 8).

4Finished the round in first place0Finished the round in last place
4Finished the round inside the top ten
41Subscript indicates the ladder position at the end of the round
41Underlined points indicate the team had a bye that round
TeamO123456789101112131415161718192021222324
Sydney41818384122161201241
Fremantle0013458312416220224228
Hawthorn0846848512616320324326
Melbourne04741188127129168204
Brisbane Lions0601501641389126129165
North Melbourne0444686125127165166
Gold Coast4282121121123125164167
Collingwood44484987810813121116818
Geelong0949414810811128166169
Western Bulldogs4583122122161164167161016
Port Adelaide00164741188810812121112
St Kilda070144104144148148131212
Adelaide045484124138111210121316
Greater Western Sydney434104134154168128141214
West Coast001841289812815815815
Carlton010411415416415416416416
Essendon0017018017017417417417
Richmond0012017018018018018018

Source: AFL Tables

Home matches and membership

Updated to Adelaide v Port Adelaide (round 8).

The following table includes all home match attendance figures from the home-and-away season, excluding neutral matches (Gather Round).

Team Home match attendance Membership
Hosted Total Highest Lowest Average 2025[58] 2026 Change
2025[59] 2026[60] Change
Adelaide4196,71153,04545,854 45,120 49,178Increase 4,058 81,067
Brisbane Lions398,88334,64831,606 30,598 32,961Increase 2,363 75,115
Carlton3220,13478,05867,763 49,182 73,378Increase 24,196 100,743
Collingwood3180,72176,63241,607 68,873 60,240Decrease 8,633 112,491
Essendon3203,76992,23140,154 40,034 67,923Increase 27,889 85,568
Fremantle3134,08154,10035,245 45,758 44,694Decrease 1,064 66,179
Geelong382,31833,20020,403 35,439 27,439Decrease 8,000 92,379
Gold Coast352,20719,85913,309 15,679 17,402Increase 1,723 30,107
Greater Western Sydney337,90316,1579,149 12,026 12,634Increase 608 37,705
Hawthorn4177,99084,7128,263 41,484 44,498Increase 3,014 87,204
Melbourne3110,49344,57724,287 36,805 36,831Increase 26 58,563
North Melbourne3105,82145,91923,318 25,266 35,274Increase 1,008 56,283
Port Adelaide3110,96741,16433,754 35,556 36,989Increase 1,433 72,656
Richmond3132,30367,36430,468 44,398 44,101Decrease 297 92,531
St Kilda3143,45282,52829,070 31,644 47,817Increase 16,173 65,509
Sydney3122,48643,98638,128 34,277 40,829Increase 6,552 76,674
West Coast3152,03854,23247,083 42,576 50,679Increase 8,103 107,079
Western Bulldogs4119,69838,78623,071 36,764 29,925Decrease 6,839 65,584
Total/overall572,381,97592,2318,26337,30641,789Increase 4,4831,363,437

Source: AFL Tables

Win–loss table

Updated to Adelaide v Port Adelaide (round 8).

The following table can be sorted from biggest winning margin to biggest losing margin for each round. If multiple matches in a round are decided by the same margin, these margins are sorted by percentage (i.e. the lowest-scoring winning team is ranked highest and the lowest-scoring losing team is ranked lowest). Home matches are in bold, neutral matches (Gather Round) are underlined and opponents are listed above the margins.

+WinQualified for finals
−LossEliminated
Draw
X
 Bye
TeamHome-and-away seasonLadderFinals series
O123456789101112131415161718192021222324F1F2F3F4GF
AdelaideXCOL
+14		WB
–6		GEE
–8		FRE
–2		CAR
+28		STK
+1		BL
–52		PA
+1		RICNMHAWXGEEWBMELPAWCGCSYDCOLESSRICFREGWS10
(4–4–0)
Brisbane LionsWB
–5		SYD
–44		XSTK
+33		COL
+54		NM
+26		MEL
–2		ADE
+52		ESSCARGEEGWSFREGCRICXSYDGEEESSWCPACARHAWGCCOL6
(4–3–0)
CarltonSYD
–63		RIC
+4		XMEL
–23		NM
–10		ADE
–28		COL
–5		FRE
–14		STKBLWBPAGEEESSXGWSWCRICHAWCOLGCBLSTKWBFRE16
(1–6–0)
CollingwoodSTK
+12		ADE
–14		XGWS
+33		BL
–54		FRE
–6		CAR
+5		ESS
+77		HAW
0		GEESYDWCWBMELXPARICGCNMCARADEGEEWCHAWBL5
(4–3–1)
EssendonXHAW
–62		PA
–63		NM
–12		WB
–34		MEL
+45		GC
–9		COL
–77		BLGWSFRERICWCCARMELXNMSTKBLGWSHAWADEGEESYDPA17
(1–6–0)
FremantleXGEE
–10		MEL
+48		RIC
+60		ADE
+2		COL
+6		WC
+56		CAR
+14		WB
+12		HAWESSSTKBLNMXGEEGCGWSSYDPAWCWBMELADECAR1
(7–1–0)
GeelongGC
–56		FRE
+10		XADE
+8		HAW
–1		WC
+46		WB
+75		PA
–30		NMCOLBLSYDCARADEGCFREXBLGWSSTKMELCOLESSNMRIC9
(4–3–0)
Gold CoastGEE
+56		WC
+59		RIC
+68		XMEL
–20		SYD
–32		ESS
+9		HAW
–49		GWSSTKPANMXBLGEEHAWFRECOLADEWBCARMELGWSBLSTK8
(4–3–0)
Greater Western SydneyHAW
+27		WB
–81		STK
–4		COL
–33		XRIC
+56		SYD
–41		NM
+7		GCESSWCBLMELXSTKCARHAWFREGEEESSSYDPAGCWCADE14
(3–4–0)
HawthornGWS
–27		ESS
+62		SYD
+17		XGEE
+1		WB
+40		PA
+3		GC
+49		COL
0		FREMELADESTKWBXGCGWSMELCARRICESSNMBLCOLWC2
(6–1–1)
MelbourneXSTK
+13		FRE
–48		CAR
+23		GC
+20		ESS
–45		BL
+2		RIC
+54		SYDWCHAWWBGWSCOLESSADEXHAWRICNMGEEGCFREPAWB4
(5–2–0)
North MelbourneXPA
+46		WC
–17		ESS
+12		CAR
+10		BL
–26		RIC
+75		GWS
–7		GEESYDADEGCXFREWCRICESSPACOLMELSTKHAWWBGEESYD7
(4–3–0)
Port AdelaideXNM
–46		ESS
+63		WC
–2		RIC
+42		STK
–14		HAW
–3		GEE
+30		ADE
–1		WBGCCARXWCSYDCOLADENMSTKFREBLGWSSYDMELESS12
(3–5–0)
RichmondXCAR
–4		GC
–68		FRE
–60		PA
–42		GWS
–56		NM
–75		MEL
–54		WCADESTKESSSYDXBLNMCOLCARMELHAWWBWCADESTKGEE18
(0–7–0)
St KildaCOL
–12		MEL
–13		GWS
+4		BL
–33		XPA
+14		ADE
–1		WC
+101		CARGCRICFREHAWSYDGWSWBXESSPAGEENMSYDCARRICGC13
(3–4–0)
SydneyCAR
+63		BL
+44		HAW
–17		XWC
+128		GC
+32		GWS
+53		WB
+66		MELNMCOLGEERICSTKPAXBLWBFREADEGWSSTKPAESSNM3
(6–1–0)
West CoastXGC
–59		NM
+17		PA
+2		SYD
–128		GEE
–46		FRE
–56		STK
–101		RICMELGWSCOLESSPANMXCARADEWBBLFRERICCOLGWSHAW15
(2–5–0)
Western BulldogsBL
+5		GWS
+81		ADE
+6		XESS
+34		HAW
–40		GEE
–75		SYD
–66		FRE
–12		PACARMELCOLHAWADESTKXSYDWCGCRICFRENMCARMEL11
(4–4–0)

Source: AFL Tables

Milestones

Round Player/official Club Milestone
OR Isaac Heeney Sydney300th AFL goal
Jesse Hogan Greater Western Sydney400th AFL goal
Rory Lobb Western Bulldogs200th AFL game
1 Blake Hardwick Hawthorn200th AFL game
Daniel McStay Collingwood200th AFL game
Darcy Fogarty Adelaide200th AFL goal
Christian Salem Melbourne200th AFL game
3 Jake Stringer Greater Western Sydney400th AFL goal
Max Gawn Melbourne250th AFL game
Tom McDonald Melbourne250th AFL game
4 Tom Papley Sydney200th AFL game
Aaron Naughton Western Bulldogs300th AFL goal
5 Jake Melksham Melbourne250th AFL game
6 Mark Blicavs Geelong300th AFL game
Jake Kolodjashnij Geelong200th AFL game
Karl Amon Hawthorn200th AFL game
Josh Dunkley Brisbane Lions200th AFL game
Lachie Neale Brisbane Lions300th AFL game
Shai Bolton Fremantle200th AFL goal
7 Bayley Fritsch Melbourne300th AFL goal

Source: AFL Tables

Leading goalkickers

Updated to end of round 7.

1Led the goalkicking at the end of the round
11Subscript indicates the player's goal tally to that point of the season
–Did not play during that round
XHad a bye during that round
# Player Club Home-and-away season (Coleman Medal) Finals series Total Games Average
O123456789101112131415161718192021222324F1F2F3F4GF
1 Ben KingGold Coast4459716X163192213242262673.71
2 Jack GunstonHawthorn4459413X13316319–195242464.00
3 Nick LarkeyNorth MelbourneX0446102122141152174212173.00
4 Jeremy CameronGeelong–033X303143710173202063.33
5 Charlie CurnowSydney330325X549093127191972.71
Aaron NaughtonWestern Bulldogs2268311X113141153181191972.71
7 Mitch GeorgiadesPort AdelaideX03325382102122144181872.57
Nick WatsonHawthorn224617X73101115162181872.57
9 Jye AmissFremantleX011012347295143171772.43

Source: AFL Tables

Notes

References

External links

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