Meanwhile down under, the Australian Football League (AFL) is introducing a thrilling new Wildcard Finals Round. It’s scheduled to open in 2026! This move is designed to boost competition and add further incentive for more teams to make the finals series. The decision comes as part of the AFL’s ongoing efforts to evolve its competition structure, responding to the demands of fans and the landscape of the sport.
Starting in 2026, the AFL will introduce two wildcard games during a weekend that was previously designated for a pre-finals bye. The opening match features the seventh and tenth place teams. In the second game, the eighth-place team plays the ninth-place team. These winners will have the final two spots – the seventh and eighth seeds – in the main finals series. This series will return to its tried and true format, little changed since the year 2000.
The league has privately notified all AFL clubs of this new development. This necessary step indicates their willingness to make the finals experience better for fans. According to AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon, this change aligns with the league’s goal of increasing engagement and excitement around finals football.
“We’re thrilled to deliver fans an extra weekend of finals footy, while giving more clubs and players the opportunity to play finals footy and win a premiership.” – Andrew Dillon
The introduction of the Wildcard Finals Round is seen as a direct response to recent seasons where teams narrowly missed out on finals contention. In the 2025 season, the Western Bulldogs missed out on a wildcard berth by only four points. At the same time, the Sydney Swans found themselves in third place — three games back. If the proposed wildcard system had been in place that year, Gold Coast would have been up against Sydney in a single match elimination. On the other hand, Hawthorn would have faced the Western Bulldogs in a second elimination final.
The AFL is hailing this expansion as a fans’ victory of historic proportions. They’re trying to ensure that every game retains that excitement and unpredictability of finals football.
“The Wildcard Finals Round reflects our ongoing commitment to evolve our competition structure, building on recent additions like Gather Round and AFL Origin, ensuring our game continues to grow.” – AFL
We’re thrilled for these changes heading into the 2026 season! In addition to the new wildcard games, it includes numerous other rule changes, including the implementation of a last touch rule. These amendments are a sign that the AFL is thinking beyond the current competition frameworks. They’re not just creating a culture of inclusivity and diversity in their game today.
