Kayo Sports has officially launched its 2026 AFL season, promising its most comprehensive coverage yet as Fox Footy doubles down on live, ad-break-free broadcasts across the week.
At a rooftop launch overlooking Melbourne’s sporting precinct, AFL stars and Kayo Sports ambassadors Nick Daicos, Will Ashcroft and Patrick Cripps joined Fox Footy’s commentary team and industry partners to mark the start of the new season.
The platform will once again offer every game of every round live, ad-break-free during play, and in 4K, positioning Fox Footy on Kayo Sports as the only place fans can access the full AFL fixture across the home-and-away season.
A record year sets the tone
The 2026 season follows a record-breaking 2025 for Kayo Sports, with audiences growing 19% year-on-year.
This year is set to be even bigger, with the introduction of the Wildcard Round and heightened rivalries as high-profile players shift clubs across the league.
Patrick Delany
Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany said the company’s long-standing investment in Australian sport remains central to its strategy.
“We are incredibly proud of the way we have continually innovated coverage of AFL, offering fans every game, every round live with week-long entertainment. But what we are most proud of is the annual $1 billion we invest in Australian sports rights and production, making the Foxtel Group the nation’s largest individual non-Government funder of sport.
“For us it goes beyond the screen. It’s about the partnerships and our nearly 25 year-long commitment with AFL has not only taken football to more viewers but our investment flows through the entire AFL eco-system – from the grassroots right through to the elite. Those funds help develop crucial pathways from the suburban and country grounds to the MCG, enhance facilities and ultimately fuel participation which saw the AFL achieve a new record of 628,000 in 2025.
“We support the AFL and Andrew Dillon and his team in always looking at how we can bring new initiatives to life for the fans whether it is AFL Origin, Wildcard Round or continuing to support growth at all levels.”
A heavyweight commentary team
Fox Sports Managing Director Steve Crawley said last year’s investment in expanded coverage had paid off, with the network calling every game across the round and refreshing its on-air presentation.
“Last year was massive for the Fox Footy team. We didn’t just lift our coverage – we went all in. We called every game across the round, welcomed great new voices like Matt Hill and Tom Hawkins, and gave the on-air look a fresh new feel. And the fans showed up in record numbers.
“We’re up and about and ready to go again. If 2025 was big, 2026 is shaping as our biggest yet – and we’ve got the team to bring every moment of the action live to fans right around the country.”
The 2026 commentary roster features a deep bench of talent including Jonathan Brown, Garry Lyon, Sarah Jones, Gerard Whateley, Nathan Buckley, Jason Dunstall, Eddie Betts, Ruby Schleicher and Anthony Hudson, among others.
Former Port Adelaide head coach Ken Hinkley joins the line-up this year, forming part of the Adelaide-based commentary team alongside Mark Ricciuto and Shaun Burgoyne. Three-time premiership player Tom Hawkins will also expand his role on Friday Night Footy.
FOX FOOTY 2026 LINE-UP
AFL Tonight: Monday – Friday, 6pm
Hosted by Ruby Schleicher, Drew Jones and David Zita
The daily AFL news program featuring AFL reporters outlining all the latest news you need to know from around the league.
AFL360: Monday – Wednesday, 6.30pm
Hosted by Gerard Whateley and Garry Lyon
AFL360 sets the agenda by looking at every angle of the day’s major issues in footy, three nights a week, Whateley and Lyon will be joined by an unparalleled team of regular guests.
On The Couch: Monday, 7.30pm
Hosted by Jack Riewoldt with Jonathan Brown, Nathan Buckley, Jordan Lewis and Leigh Matthews
Riewoldt is joined by Brown, Buckley, Lewis and Matthews for the hugely popular On The Couch, where the expert team will weigh up the biggest issues surrounding the AFL.
Midweek Tackle: Tuesday, 7.30pm
Hosted by Lauren Wood and regular guests Jon Ralph, Scott Gullan, Josh Barnes, Glenn McFarlane and Corbin Middlemas
A panel of some of the best footy journalists in the business, dissecting the big news items from the week.
First Crack Preview: Wednesday, 7.30pm
Hosted by Ben Dixon, David King, Daniel Hoyne and Leigh Montagna
The Fox Footy expert panel will analyse the round ahead.
Thursday Night Footy: Thursday, 6.30pm
Hosted by Sarah Jones with Jason Dunstall, David King and Leigh Montagna
Commentary: Mark Howard, Matt Hill, Jack Riewoldt and others
Fox Footy’s team of expert commentators and talent bring you all the action live from the ground every Thursday night.
Friday Night Footy: Friday, 6.30pm
Hosted by Garry Lyon with Jonathan Brown, Tom Hawkins and Jordan Lewis
Commentary: Anthony Hudson, Gerard Whateley, Jason Dunstall, Garry Lyon and others
Fox Footy’s team of expert commentators and talent bring you all the action live from the ground every Friday night.
Super Saturday Live: Saturday, from 12.30pm
Fox Footy, available on Kayo SPORTS, will be the ONLY place to watch AFL exclusively live on Saturday’s nationally for at least the first 10 rounds of the home and away season* (except ANZAC game between Essendon and Collingwood)
Sunday Ticket: Sunday, from 12.30pm
Fox Footy’s team of expert commentators and talent bring you all the action live from around the grounds every Sunday.
Bounce: Sunday, after the footy
Hosted by Jason Dunstall with Andrew Gaze, Cam Mooney, Ruby Schleicher, Ben Dixon and Bernie Vince
Bounce is an entertaining, lighter look at a big week in footy. If you want some fun to finish off a big weekend of AFL action, Bounce is the show for you.
First Crack: Sunday, after Bounce
Hosted by Jay Clark, David King and Leigh Montagna
The Fox Footy expert panel will offer fans their first fix on all games and stories from the week that was.
The 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season coverage begins on Monday, March 2 with AFL360, followed by Opening Round matches from Thursday, March 5.
Top Image: Will Ashcroft and Nick Daicos