The Australian Football League has announced a AUD$4.5 billion broadcast rights renewal with Seven West Media and Fox Sports, making the sport more accessible than ever.

The deal, which was signed on Monday night, was one of Gillon McLachlan’s final acts as the CEO and means Seven and Fox Sports will be the home of the AFL until 2031.

The deal will see Thursday night games scheduled for the first 15 rounds of the season from 2025 and beyond, the same amount of matches being available on free-to-air and Fox Footy winning the rights to have their own commentary team.

Additionally, Seven will and 7+ Digital will broadcast Thursday night games and marquee matches live, including Anzac Day Eve, Anzac Day, Dreamtime and all finals matches.

Seven will also provide coverage of at least 30 AFLW home-and-away games, with finals and the grand final being live and free on Seven and 7+ Digital.

Commenting on the new deal, AFL CEO, Gillon McLachlan, said: “We want to be the game for everyone.”

“And this partnership will help us to do more to engage with all communities, in all states and territories and across Indigenous and culturally diverse communities.

“This partnership will provide unprecedented levels of financial support to invest more in ensuring every person who wants to play footy will be able to play footy.

“It will allow us to invest heavily in expanding our reach into the local community and also to invest in the next generation through more digital products that are targeted at attracting kids and providing a pathway to engaging physically with our game,” he said.

Fox Footy and streaming platform, Kayo Sports, will also provide exclusive broadcasts of a ‘super Saturday’ for the first eight rounds of the season, however, marquee games will excluded if they fall on a Saturday.