AFL
For the past 25 years, the AFL has used a top-eight system for finals, where the eight best teams compete for glory.
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But in 2026 an adjustment has been made where 10 teams make the finals — effectively adding an extra week of post-season called the wildcard round.
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Is it a complicated change to the current finals system?
The Sporting News explains how the 2026 finals format and wildcard round will function.
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AFL top eight and wildcard finals system changes in 2026
- Top 10 teams qualify for finals at the end of the home-and-away season
- The wildcard round will see 7th host 10th, 8th host 9th in straight elimination finals
- The top-ranked winner of the wildcard will be hosted by 6th in the 2nd elimination final
- The lowest-ranked winner of the wildcard will be hosted by 5th in the 1st elimination final
- The rest of the AFL finals series continues as it has for the last 25 years
AFL Finals fixture, system 2026
Wildcard Weekend
| Fixture | Date | Time (AEST) | Venue | |
| Wildcard 1 | 7th vs 10th | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Wildcard 2 | 8th vs 9th | TBC | TBC | TBC |
Week one
- The top-ranked winner of the wildcard will be hosted by 6th in the 2nd elimination final
- The lowest-ranked winner of the wildcard will be hosted by 5th in the 1st elimination final
| Fixture | Date | Time (AEST) | Venue | |
| Qualifying Final 1 | Fremantle (1st) vs 4th | TBC | TBC | Optus Stadium |
| Qualifying Final 2 | Sydney (2nd) vs 3rd | TBC | TBC | SCG |
| Elimination Final 1 | 5th vs TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Elimination Final 2 | 6th vs TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC |
Semi Finals
| Fixture | Date | Time (AEST) | Venue | |
| Semi Final 1 | Loser QF1 vs Winner EF1 | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Semi Final 2 | Loser QF2 vs Winner EF2 | TBC | TBC | TBC |
Preliminary Finals
| Fixture | Date | Time (AEST) | Venue | |
| Preliminary Final 1 | Winner QF1 vs Winner SF2 | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Preliminary Final 2 | Winner QF2 vs Winner SF1 | TBC | TBC | TBC |
Grand Final
| Match | Fixture | Date | Time (AEST) | Venue |
| Grand Final | Winner PF1 vs Winner PF2 | Sat. Sep 26 | 2.30pm | MCG |
AFL Finals schedule, dates
2026 AFL Finals dates
| Week | Dates (Sat-Sun) |
| Wildcard weekend | Aug. 29-30 |
| Finals week one | Sept. 5-6 |
| Semi Finals | Sept. 12-13 |
| Preliminary Final | Sept. 19-20 |
| Grand Final | Sept. 26 |
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