2025 AFL season explained

Year:	2025
Date:	6 March—27 September 2025
Teams:	18

The 2025 AFL season is the upcoming 129th season of the Australian Football League (AFL), the highest-level senior men's Australian rules football competition in Australia. The season will feature 18 clubs and run from 6 March to 27 September.^[1]

Background

In September 2022, the AFL announced a seven-year, $4.5 billion broadcast rights deal with the Seven Network, Foxtel and Telstra, the biggest sports broadcast rights deal in Australian history, effective from the 2025 season.^[2] Key points of the deal included:

• Seven and its streaming service 7plus would broadcast Thursday night, Friday night, Sunday afternoon and all marquee matches, with the first 16 rounds of the home-and-away season featuring Thursday night matches.
• Foxtel and its streaming service Kayo would broadcast every match of the season outside of the grand final, and would utilise its own commentary teams and graphics for all matches for the first time;^[3] another Foxtel streaming service, Binge, would also simulcast some matches and include other Foxtel football programs.^[4]
• All Saturday matches outside of marquee matches would be exclusive to Foxtel and Kayo for the first eight rounds of the season, while all Saturday night matches in the last eight rounds of the season would be exclusive to Seven.
• Seven would broadcast matches involving non-Victorian clubs live into their local markets, outside of select matches on delay.

Ahead of the season's fixture release in November 2024, the AFL further elaborated that the season would feature Thursday night matches in 23 of the 25 rounds, with each of the first 16 rounds plus seven other rounds, as part of a floating fixture to be determined later in the season, having matches on Thursday nights. The following day, the AFL announced the addition on Sunday night matches as a semi-regular fixture in 2025, with nine of the first 16 rounds featuring a Sunday night match.^[5] also announced that it would play two of its home matches each season in Western Australia from 2025 to 2027, as part of a deal with the AFL, Tourism Western Australia and the Western Australian government to provide financial security to the club, as well as its strategy to exit its existing deal to play home matches in Tasmania, where it had played at least two per season since 2012; in 2025, the club will play its Western Australia home matches consecutively, in rounds 13 and 14, and two matches in Tasmania as part of the final year of the club's deal with the state. In the same month, ^[6] and unveiled new club logos,^[7] while unveiled a new logo and playing guernseys as part of a complete rebrand of the club.^[8]

The season will begin on 6 March with a match between reigning premiers the and, during which the Lions will unfurl their 2024 premiership flag.^[9] The match will be one of four played in Opening Round, an initiative introduced in 2024, where the New South Wales and Queensland clubs (Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast, and) would contest matches against four Victorian clubs (Geelong,, and, respectively in 2025) to open the season; all eight clubs would then have a bye before round 5 so that all clubs would have played the same number of matches leading into Gather Round.^[10] The will host a match against Collingwood at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in round 2, its first home match at the venue since 2009, to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of its entry into the VFL/AFL.^[11] In round 5, Gather Round, which will be played in South Australia for the third consecutive year, will feature matches in the Barossa Valley region for the first time, with two matches to be played at Barossa Park, a new $40 million recreational facility in Lyndoch, along with two matches at Norwood Oval and the other five at Adelaide Oval, including two separately ticketed matches on the Saturday.^[12] Hawthorn will also host a match to celebrate its 100-year anniversary in the VFL/AFL, against in round 8.^[13]

In round 11, during Sir Doug Nicholls Round, the Dreamtime at the 'G match between Essendon and Richmond was moved to the Friday night primetime slot for the first time, having traditionally been held on a Saturday night during the round;^[14] a double-header will be held the following day at Marvel Stadium, featuring several Sir Doug Nicholls Round activations in the Docklands precinct throughout the day.^[5]

Coach appointments

New coach	Club	Date of appointment	Previous coach
scope=row	Andrew McQualter		30 September 2024		align=center	^[15]
scope=row	Dean Cox		26 November 2024		align=center	^[16]

Pre-season

All Stars game

For the first time since 2015, the AFL fixtured a pre-season match featuring the Indigenous All-Stars team. The All-Stars will take on at Optus Stadium.^[17]

Home-and-away season

All starting times are local time. Source: afl.com.au

Round 24

Ladder

Progression by round

Team	O	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24
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Home matches and membership

The following table includes all home match attendance figures from the home-and-away season, excluding neutral matches (Gather Round).

Team	Home match attendance							Membership
	Hosted	Total	Highest	Lowest	Average			2024^[18]	2025	Change
	2024^[19]				2025	Change
align=left		0				scope=row style=text-align:center	40,821			scope=row style=text-align:center	75,477
align=left		0				scope=row style=text-align:center	30,864			scope=row style=text-align:center	63,268
align=left		0				scope=row style=text-align:center	58,311			scope=row style=text-align:center	106,345
align=left		0				scope=row style=text-align:center	66,880			scope=row style=text-align:center	110,628
align=left		0				scope=row style=text-align:center	50,478			scope=row style=text-align:center	83,664
align=left		0				scope=row style=text-align:center	46,891			scope=row style=text-align:center	62,237
align=left		0				scope=row style=text-align:center	36,291			scope=row style=text-align:center	90,798
align=left		0				scope=row style=text-align:center	15,584			scope=row style=text-align:center	26,157
align=left		0				scope=row style=text-align:center	12,275			scope=row style=text-align:center	36,629
align=left		0				scope=row style=text-align:center	36,037			scope=row style=text-align:center	83,823
align=left		0				scope=row style=text-align:center	34,929			scope=row style=text-align:center	65,479
align=left		0				scope=row style=text-align:center	21,954			scope=row style=text-align:center	50,628
align=left		0				scope=row style=text-align:center	36,922			scope=row style=text-align:center	66,015
align=left		0				scope=row style=text-align:center	47,582			scope=row style=text-align:center	98,489
align=left		0				scope=row style=text-align:center	29,257			scope=row style=text-align:center	60,467
align=left		0				scope=row style=text-align:center	38,202			scope=row style=text-align:center	73,757
align=left		0				scope=row style=text-align:center	46,234			scope=row style=text-align:center	103,498
align=left		0				scope=row style=text-align:center	28,523			scope=row style=text-align:center	62,328
Total/overall	0				37,815			1,319,687

Win–loss table

The following table can be sorted from biggest winning margin to biggest losing margin for each round. If multiple matches in a round are decided by the same margin, these margins are sorted by percentage (i.e. the lowest-scoring winning team is ranked highest and the lowest-scoring losing team is ranked lowest). Home matches are in bold, neutral matches (Gather Round) are underlined and opponents are listed above the margins.

+	style=width:5em	Win		Qualified for finals
-	style=width:5em	Loss	align=center	X	Bye
	style=width:5em	Draw		Eliminated

Team	Home-and-away season																										Finals series
	O	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24		F1	F2	F3	GF
align=left		X	STK	ESS	NM	GC	GEE	GWS	FRE	CAR	PA	COL	WC	SYD	BL	HAW	X	RIC	MEL	WB	GC	PA	HAW	WC	COL	NM	1 (0–0–0)
align=left		GEE	SYD	WC	X	RIC	WB	COL	STK	GC	NM	MEL	HAW	ESS	ADE	GWS	GEE	X	PA	CAR	WB	GC	COL	SYD	FRE	HAW	2 (0–0–0)
align=left		X	RIC	HAW	WB	COL	WC	NM	GEE	ADE	STK	SYD	GWS	X	ESS	WC	NM	PA	COL	BL	MEL	HAW	FRE	GC	PA	ESS	3 (0–0–0)
align=left		GWS	PA	WB	X	CAR	SYD	BL	ESS	GEE	FRE	ADE	NM	HAW	MEL	X	STK	WC	CAR	GC	FRE	RIC	BL	HAW	ADE	MEL	4 (0–0–0)
align=left		GC	HAW	ADE	PA	X	MEL	WC	COL	NM	SYD	WB	RIC	BL	CAR	GEE	FRE	X	GC	RIC	GWS	WB	SYD	GEE	STK	CAR	5 (0–0–0)
align=left		X	GEE	SYD	WC	WB	RIC	MEL	ADE	STK	COL	GWS	PA	GC	X	NM	ESS	STK	SYD	HAW	COL	WC	CAR	PA	BL	WB	6 (0–0–0)
align=left		BL	FRE	STK	X	MEL	ADE	HAW	CAR	COL	GWS	PA	WB	WC	GC	ESS	BL	X	RIC	GWS	STK	NM	PA	ESS	SYD	RIC	7 (0–0–0)
align=left		ESS	WC	V	MEL	ADE	NM	RIC	SYD	BL	WB	HAW	STK	FRE	GEE	X	GWS	MEL	ESS	COL	ADE	BL	RIC	CAR	GWS	PA	8 (0–0–0)
align=left		COL	MEL	X	HAW	WC	STK	ADE	WB	SYD	GEE	FRE	CAR	RIC	PA	BL	GC	X	WC	GEE	ESS	SYD	WB	NM	GC	STK	9 (0–0–0)
align=left		SYD	ESS	CAR	GWS	X	PA	GEE	WC	RIC	MEL	GC	BL	COL	WB	ADE	X	NM	STK	FRE	PA	CAR	ADE	COL	MEL	BL	10 (0–0–0)
align=left		X	GWS	NM	GC	GEE	ESS	FRE	RIC	WC	HAW	BL	SYD	STK	COL	PA	X	GC	ADE	NM	CAR	STK	WC	WB	HAW	COL	11 (0–0–0)
align=left		X	WB	MEL	ADE	SYD	GC	CAR	PA	ESS	BL	RIC	COL	X	WC	FRE	CAR	HAW	WB	MEL	SYD	GEE	STK	GWS	RIC	ADE	12 (0–0–0)
align=left		X	COL	RIC	ESS	STK	HAW	SYD	NM	WB	ADE	GEE	FRE	X	GWS	MEL	SYD	CAR	BL	WC	HAW	ADE	GEE	FRE	CAR	GC	13 (0–0–0)
align=left		X	CAR	PA	STK	BL	FRE	GC	MEL	HAW	WC	NM	ESS	GWS	SYD	X	WB	ADE	GEE	ESS	WC	COL	GC	STK	NM	GEE	14 (0–0–0)
align=left		X	ADE	GEE	RIC	PA	GWS	WB	BL	FRE	CAR	WC	GC	MEL	X	WB	COL	FRE	HAW	SYD	GEE	MEL	NM	RIC	ESS	GWS	15 (0–0–0)
align=left		HAW	BL	FRE	X	NM	COL	PA	GC	GWS	ESS	CAR	MEL	ADE	RIC	X	PA	WB	FRE	STK	NM	GWS	ESS	BL	GEE	WC	16 (0–0–0)
align=left		X	GC	BL	FRE	GWS	CAR	ESS	HAW	MEL	RIC	STK	ADE	GEE	NM	CAR	X	COL	GWS	PA	RIC	FRE	MEL	ADE	WB	SYD	17 (0–0–0)
align=left		X	NM	COL	CAR	FRE	BL	STK	GWS	PA	GC	ESS	GEE	X	HAW	STK	RIC	SYD	NM	ADE	BL	ESS	GWS	MEL	WC	FRE	18 (0–0–0)

Sources

• 2025 AFL season at afl.com.au

• 2025 AFL season at Austadiums

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2025 Toyota AFL premiership season. Australian Football League. 14 November 2024. 14 November 2024. 15 November 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241115021526/https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2024/11/14/45a8950c-93b3-4107-b531-ccce12d409fd/140694_Fixture-Release_Booklet_FA_LowRes.pdf. live.
2. News: Twomey. Callum. Seven years, $4.5b: AFL reveals huge new broadcast rights deal. afl.com.au. 6 September 2022. 13 November 2024. 30 October 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241030015324/https://www.afl.com.au/news/837244/afl-reveals-new-broadcast-rights-deal-from-2025. live.
3. News: Niall. Jake. Kruger. Colin. Gleeson. Michael. AFL welcomes historic seven-year $4.5 billion deal with Seven and Foxtel. The Age. 6 September 2022. 13 November 2024. 13 November 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241113103722/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/seven-and-foxtel-sign-massive-seven-year-afl-broadcast-rights-deal-20220905-p5bfhx.html. live.
4. News: Pierik. Jon. Nine closes in on Cornes replacement: what footy will look like on your TV in 2025. The Age. 10 November 2024. 13 November 2024. 13 November 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241113031209/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/nine-close-in-on-cornes-replacement-what-footy-will-look-like-on-your-tv-in-2025-20241105-p5ko4r.html. live.
5. News: Beveridge. Riley. Sunday nights set to be footy's new primetime frontier. afl.com.au. 13 November 2024. 13 November 2024. 15 November 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241115022737/https://www.afl.com.au/news/1255357/sunday-nights-set-to-be-footys-new-primetime-frontier. live.
6. News: Noakes. Cameron. Adelaide Crows unveil new-look logo as part of major brand shake-up. Seven News. 7 November 2024. 15 November 2024. 15 November 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241115112326/https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/adelaide-crows-unveil-new-look-logo-as-part-of-major-brand-shake-up-c-16662103. live.
7. News: 'Got to be prepared to innovate': 30-year first as Saints unveil 'bolder, more powerful' logo. Fox Sports. 19 November 2024. 19 November 2024. 19 November 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241119051607/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/st-kilda-saints/afl-news-2025-st-kilda-saints-unveil-new-logo-for-the-first-time-in-30-years/news-story/916c16d7266be83e5b2e5dd2c9fd0912. live.
8. News: 'Time to update our look': Gold Coast Suns unveil new logo, guernseys in 'fearless' brand refresh. Fox Sports. 15 November 2024. 15 November 2024. 15 November 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241115060217/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2024-new-gold-coast-suns-logo-and-guernseys-jerseys-design-brand-refresh-mark-evans-comments-latest-news/news-story/ee7db33349876c555cedd917bf893c87. live.
9. News: AFL reveals Opening Round, '25 season start date. ESPN. 12 November 2024. 13 November 2024. 15 November 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241115023718/https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/42315225/afl-fixture-draw-opening-round-gather-round-games-2025-season. live.
10. News: Faulkner. Will. Epic finals re-match locked in; end to bizarre Hawks snub — Opening Round fixture revealed. Fox Sports. 12 November 2024. 13 November 2024. 12 November 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241112173252/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2024-opening-round-fixture-for-2025-revealed-brisbane-vs-geelong-in-season-opener-who-plays-who-gws-vs-collingwood-rematch-latest-news/news-story/88ffa104d0ca6e7d2dabee3fb6b14fe9. live.
11. News: Gabelich. Josh. Bulldogs to mark centenary celebrations against Magpies. afl.com.au. 12 November 2024. 13 November 2024. 13 November 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241113233054/https://www.afl.com.au/news/1255198/western-bulldogs-to-mark-centenary-celebrations-against-collingwood-magpies. live.
12. News: AFL Gather Round 2025 fixture announced with Barossa Valley new ground for teams. ABC News. 11 November 2024. 13 November 2024. 12 November 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241112233351/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-11/sa-afl-gather-round-2025-fixture/104584772. live.
13. News: Gabelich. Josh. Hawks to face Tigers in Sunday special to mark centenary celebration. afl.com.au. 14 November 2024. 15 November 2024. 15 November 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241115024307/https://www.afl.com.au/news/1255507/hawks-to-face-tigers-in-sunday-special-to-mark-centenary-celebration. live.
14. News: Ryan. Peter. Pierik. Jon. Dreamtime at the 'G becomes a Friday night blockbuster in 2025. The Age. 14 November 2024. 14 November 2024. 15 November 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241115024508/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/dreamtime-at-the-g-becomes-a-friday-night-blockbuster-in-2025-20241113-p5kqbx.html. live.
15. News: Smith. Lauren. McArthur. Bridget. West Coast Eagles name former Demons and Tigers assistant Andrew McQualter as new AFL coach. ABC News. 30 September 2024. 13 November 2024. 30 September 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240930015125/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-30/west-coast-eagles-name-andrew-mcqualter-as-new-afl-coach/104411996. live.
16. News: Gleeson. Michael. Niall. Jake. Longmire stands down as Swans coach, Cox to take reins. The Age. 26 November 2024. 26 November 2024. 25 November 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241125231726/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/swans-to-make-announcement-amid-speculation-longmire-has-quit-20241126-p5ktie.html. live.
17. Web site: Big addition to AFL pre-season as Indigenous All-Stars event returns after decade-long hiatus. Fox Sports. 22 October 2024. Dean Heverin.
18. News: AFL club membership sets all-time record. afl.com.au. 11 September 2024. 14 November 2024. 11 September 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240911191616/https://www.afl.com.au/news/1217482/afl-club-membership-sets-all-time-record-in-2024. live.
19. Web site: Attendances 2024. AFL Tables. 14 November 2024. 30 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240830115241/https://afltables.com/afl/crowds/2024.html. live.