The Australian Football League (AFL) is the world’s foremost Australian football league, featuring professional clubs from across Australia. The modern-day league structure was established in 1990, however the league's history is rooted in the Victorian Football League (VFL), an Australian rules football league which began in 1877. Today, AFL home stadiums can be found throughout 5 of the country’s states – though matches have been played in all states and territories, as well as overseas.
The 18 current AFL teams and their most commonly used home stadiums are:
- Adelaide Crows (Adelaide Oval, Adelaide)
- Brisbane Lions (The Gabba, Brisbane)
- Carlton (Marvel Stadium & Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne)
- Collingwood (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne)
- Essendon (Marvel Stadium & Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne)
- Fremantle (Optus Stadium, Perth)
- Geelong Cats (GMHBA Stadium, Geelong)
- Gold Coast Suns (Heritage Bank Stadium, Gold Coast)
- GWS Giants (Sydney Showground Stadium, Sydney)
- Hawthorn (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne)
- Melbourne (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne)
- North Melbourne (Marvel Stadium, Melbourne)
- Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval, Adelaide)
- Richmond (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne)
- St. Kilda (Marvel Stadium, Melbourne)
- Sydney Swans (Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney)
- West Coast Eagles (Optus Stadium, Perth)
- Western Bulldogs (Marvel Stadium, Melbourne)
2023 Schedule
The 2023 AFL season started in mid-March. The regular (home-and-away) season will take place across 24 rounds of matches, with the final round taking place in August. Each team plays 23 regular season fixtures, and also receives one bye round, which takes place in round 12, 13, 14, or 15. Each AFL side plays against 11 of its fellow teams once per regular season – either at home or away from home, on a varied basis throughout the season – and against the other 6 teams twice – once at home and once away from home.
The 2023 AFL Finals will then commence following the conclusion of the regular season; the finals takes place across 4 weeks, with the grand final expected to be held on 30 September. You can find the full 2023 AFL season schedule here.
Rivalries
During the AFL regular season, also referred to as the home-and-away season, all 18 teams play against the other 17 teams at least once. As the traditional base of Australian rules football, Melbourne is home to many AFL teams, including some of the league’s most historic and decorated sides. Many of the AFL’s fiercest rivalries are thus played-out in the Victorian city, involving teams such as Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, the Geelong Cats, Hawthorn, Melbourne, North Melbourne, and Richmond. Other derbies also exist in the AFL, including but not limited to the Adelaide Crows-Port Adelaide derby, the “QClash” between the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast Suns, and the “Battle of the Bridge”: GWS Giants v Sydney Swans.
2023 AFL Finals
The AFL finals starts immediately after the final round of the regular season and is typically staged across 4 consecutive weeks. Of the AFL’s 18 teams, only 8 progress to the finals. These 8 teams compete in a knock-out bracket, via 4 rounds of matches; teams can be knocked-out after 1 or 2 defeats, depending on where they finished in the table at the end of the regular season. The team which wins the final match of the finals – the grand final – is crowned AFL champions. In 2023, the AFL grand final is expected to be held on 30 September.
2023 Tickets & Prices
Whilst every AFL stadium varies in size, and has different configurations and seating plans, cheap tickets can often be found at most matches. AFL venues typically have seating around all sides of the oval Australian rules football field, with the seats located along the wings among the most coveted in the stadium, due to the comprehensive views they provide. Tickets for seats located behind the posts or within the 50-metre lines are therefore likely to be more affordable.
Some AFL stadia also house premium or hospitality seating sections; tickets for these sections cost more than standard admission tickets, but do often include a range of hospitality or dining perks, as well as providing fans with some of the best views in the venue.
During the 2023 AFL season, the most affordable tickets are AUD $22, with many tickets available for under AUD $30. The most premium tickets can cost upwards of AUD $100; hospitality packages which are available via enquiry only can cost even more.
How to get Cheap Tickets
Tickets for matches involving rival or successful teams are likely to cost more than tickets for matches between teams lower down the table (ladder), or between teams who are not traditional rivals. Moreover, selecting a seat in a less coveted part of the stadium – typically the sections behind either set of posts – can help keep costs down. Tickets for matches at large, famous, or modern stadia may also be more expensive than tickets at smaller ovals. Koobit compares the prices offered by official sellers and secondary resellers, to help you find your perfect ticket at the most affordable price available.
Where to Buy Tickets
Tickets for some AFL matches can be bought in person, at stadium ticket offices, however purchasing tickets online is generally an easier and more convenient means of buying AFL tickets. Buying tickets online allows fans to quickly compare prices across the whole stadium, as well as compare prices between different suppliers. A seat is also not guaranteed if you buy tickets at the stadium: tickets may have sold-out prior to match day, especially at popular or important fixtures, or at games held in small stadiums. Tickets purchased online can be downloaded and then presented digitally upon arrival.
How to Get to a Game
The vast majority of AFL stadiums are located in towns and cities, providing travellers with many car parking options, as well as public transport links. Some venues may house on-site car parks, allowing fans to leave their cars only a short distance from the stadium gates. Koobit provides travel and parking information for AFL venues: visit a stadium page for more information, or, to see event-specific information, click through to an event and view the Travel & Parking section.
To stay up to date with the latest schedule and ticketing information for this season and beyond, visit the Australian Football League (AFL) page.