The deal has been touted as “biggest partnership in the history of Australian sport” but as the dust settles on the AFL’s new broadcast deal with Seven Network, Foxtel and Telstra, fans are bracing for tweaks to their viewing habits.
The seven-year deal, which will pour $4.5 billion into the AFL, will commence from 2025 and mark a shakeup to some footy fans’ weekly schedule, especially on Saturdays and Thursday nights. Here’s how it could affect you:
The new AFL broadcast rights deal will lead to changes for some viewers from 2025.Credit:Luis Ascui
What does it mean for free-to-air viewers?
The new deal includes the same number of free-to-air games as the current deal; however, fewer matches will be aired on Saturdays and more will be available on Thursday nights.
For the first eight weeks of the AFL season free-to-air viewers will be unable to watch Saturday games, aired exclusively on Foxtel and streaming service Kayo Sports.
However, the deal will lead to the Seven Network broadcasting more Thursday night games, played over at least the first 15 rounds, and will make free-to-air games available on its streaming service 7plus.
Blockbuster AFL matches – including if they fall on a Saturday timeslot – such as Dreamtime at the ’G, Anzac Day and eve, Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Queen’s Birthday will be aired on free to air, as well as three more marque matches such as the season opener.
AFL chief Gillon McLachlan said research showed growing audiences on Thursday nights, while Saturdays drew the lowest viewer numbers.
“That is certainly a change from where we were five or six years ago, but things have changed out of COVID,” he told 3AW on Thursday.
Meanwhile, at least 30 AFLW home and away games, AFLW finals and the AFLW grand final will be live on Seven and its streaming service.
What will Foxtel and Kayo Sports get?
As well as the exclusive rights to the eight Saturdays, Foxtel and Kayo will broadcast every AFL and AFLW home and away match and finals game, except the AFL grand final, and all pre-season matches.
Fox Footy will have its own commentary team on every game when the deal commences.
What does it mean for non-Victorian games?
The match involving the local team outside Victoria will be broadcast live into the local Seven Network and its streaming service.
But selected matches that have a delay will not be aired on free-to-air.
This will mean three games in the first eight rounds in NSW and Queensland won’t be available live on free-to-air.
Fans of West Coast, Fremantle, Adelaide and Port Adelaide, retain the status quo for free-to-air games overall, but all 12 delayed games will fall on Saturdays in the first eight rounds, meaning they will be exclusive to Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
What does it mean for game start times?
There could be room to move here but the new deal includes a provision to move Friday night games forward from the current start time at 7.50pm from 2025.
But it also does not include any requirement for the grand final to occur at night – a decision left to the AFL – despite Seven West Media chief executive James Warburton stating the network’s preference for a nighttime game.
What will the AFL get from the deal?
The AFL Commission has pledged to spend 10 per cent of all assessable revenue on the grassroots game.
McLachlan said on Thursday only 38 per cent of football facilities accommodated girls and women, and the AFL needed to build “an oval a week for the next five years” to keep up with demand for the game.
The deal will allow the AFL to keep its 18 clubs solvent, and will inevitably lead to an increase to pay for players, including the prospect of women in the AFLW earning professional wages.
