Seven Network Sets New Benchmarks as 2026 AFL Grand Final Delivers Record Reach

The Seven Network has cemented its market position in domestic sports broadcasting after a capacity crowd of 100,023 spectators — representing 100% of current capacity at the Melbourne Cricket Ground — witnessed the Brisbane Lions secure victory over Fremantle in the 2026 AFL Grand Final.

The blockbuster fixture captured a record-breaking national total television audience of 4.52 million, marking an 8 per cent increase year-on-year and establishing the match as the number one television program across Australia for the year. 

Digital streaming via 7plus Sport played a pivotal role in the broadcast’s commercial success, surging 44 per cent year-on-year to reach 1.42 million viewers. This digital uplift propelled 7plus to capture an 85.6 per cent audience share in broadcast video-on-demand and an 89.3 per cent share in live streaming on Saturday.

Across the broader day-long schedule from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, Seven Network secured an 86 per cent commercial audience share in all people, alongside an 88.5 per cent share in the highly coveted 25-to-54 demographic.

Reflecting on the commercial impact of the record-breaking broadcast, Southern Cross Media Group director of Sport, TV, Audio and Streaming, Chris Jones, highlighted the cross-platform potency of the partnership.

“From the opening moments of our coverage outside the MCG, through Kylie Minogue’s show-stopping pre-game performance, an unforgettable match and the premiership celebrations, Australians were with us every step of the way.”

“To see audiences of this scale across the entire day is an outstanding result and speaks to the incredible power of the AFL and the appetite Australians have to experience our biggest sporting moments live and free.

“Thank you to the AFL and the players for putting on a spectacular show,” Jones said.

The programming lineup, featuring pre-game entertainment headlined by Kylie Minogue, the live match broadcast, and post-match premiership celebrations, commanded the four most-watched television programs of the day.

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