Sport Guide

How to Watch AFL in Australia 2026

StreamWise··8 min read
ℹ️Quick Answer
Kayo Sports ($29.99/mo) is the only service with full AFL coverage — every game, every round, including finals. 7plus shows ~3 games per round for free.

The AFL is one of the most-watched sports in Australia, and in 2026 there are two main ways to stream it: Kayo Sports for full coverage or 7plus for a limited free option. Here is everything you need to know.

2026 AFL Season Calendar

Plan your subscription around these key dates to avoid paying during the off-season.

EventDatesWhere to WatchCoverage
AFL Premiership SeasonMar – Aug 2026Kayo / 7plusFULL
Finals SeriesAug – Sep 2026Kayo / 7plusFULL
AFL Grand FinalLate Sep 2026Kayo / 7plusFULL
AFLW SeasonAug – Nov 2026Kayo / 7plusFULL

Streaming Options Compared

Kayo Sports

Best Value$29.99/mo

Every AFL match live and on-demand, plus 50+ other sports

Pros

  • +Full coverage — every game, every round
  • +All finals + Grand Final live
  • +Includes NRL, Cricket, F1, NBA, and more
  • +7-day free trial
  • +SplitView, Interactive Stats, Key Moments

Cons

  • -Not free — $29.99/mo or $45.99/mo for 4K
  • -NRL Grand Final and State of Origin are delayed

7plus

FREE

Free-to-air simulcast — approximately 3 AFL games per round

Pros

  • +Completely free
  • +No account required
  • +Includes some marquee matches

Cons

  • -Only ~3 games per round (not all matches)
  • -No on-demand replays for all games
  • -Ad-supported

Cost Breakdown & Savings

Smart subscribers save money by aligning their Kayo subscription with the AFL season instead of paying year-round.

StrategyMonthly CostMonthsAnnual Total
Year-round Kayo Standard$29.9912$359.88
Seasonal only (Mar–Sep)$29.997$209.93
Free only (7plus)$012$0
💰Money Saver
By subscribing to Kayo only during the AFL season (March–September), you save $149.95 per year compared to paying year-round. Use the off-season months to catch up on other entertainment.

If AFL is your only sport, the seasonal approach is a no-brainer. But if you also follow cricket (Dec–Feb) or F1 (Mar–Dec), you may want Kayo for more of the year — in which case use StreamWise to find the optimal subscription windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — partially. 7plus shows around 3 AFL games per round for free, including some Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday matches. However, for every game including finals, you need Kayo Sports.

Want to find the cheapest way to watch all your sports? StreamWise calculates the optimal subscription plan for you.

Calculate My Savings