AFL Introduces Wildcard Finals Round from 2026, Replacing Pre-Finals Bye

The AFL has confirmed a structural change to its finals series from 2026, introducing a Wildcard Finals Round that will replace the traditional pre-finals bye and add an extra week of high-stakes football to the calendar.

The move reshapes qualification for September, offering more clubs a playoff pathway while increasing the volume of marquee fixtures in the broadcast schedule.

How the New Wildcard Format Works

Under the new model:

• Top six teams at the end of the home-and-away season progress directly to the first full week of finals.
• 7th vs 10th and 8th vs 9th will compete in a standalone Wildcard Round.
• Two winners from those matchups will fill the final spots in the top eight.

Clubs finishing in the top six will receive a week off, while the play-in matches determine the remaining finals qualifiers.

This approach mirrors models used in leagues such as the NBA and NBL, which have adopted “play-in” stages to heighten competitive tension at the end of the season.

League Positioning: More High-Stakes Football, Greater Fan Engagement

AFL CEO, Andrew Dillon, said the shift meets a demand for more meaningful games late in the season and provides additional opportunities for clubs and supporters.

“Our fans love finals and they love games of consequence.” 

“We think this provides greater opportunities, hope and engagement heading into September.

“These games are some of the most-watched and best-attended in the competition,” Dillon said.

The introduction follows a tightly contested race for finals positions in 2024, where ninth-placed Western Bulldogs produced the strongest record ever for a team missing finals (14–9), highlighting how narrow the margin between qualification and exclusion has become.

Competitive Stakes

Dillon dismissed suggestions that the wildcard format rewards lower-performing sides, instead emphasising the tiered incentives embedded within ladder positioning:

• 1st–4th retain home advantages and double-chance benefits.
• 5th–6th gain a valuable rest week.
• 7th–8th host their wildcard matches.
• 9th–10th gain an extended pathway—but only if they win under pressure.

“It makes the gap between sixth and seventh something clubs will strive for,” Dillon added.

The model ensures finals remain merit-based while widening competitive relevance deep into the season.

A Reshaped September Landscape

The change marks the first major revision to the AFL finals framework since 2000.

The 2026 finals series will be the first to feature the Wildcard Round, which is expected to deliver heightened interest, increased stadium attendance, and amplified viewership as clubs compete for late-season survival.

Don’t miss out on the latest in sports business – Subscribe today to the free Ministry of Sport newsletter and stay ahead of the game. For even more exclusive insights, event tickets, professional development and networking events, become a MoS Member today!.