Seven’s AFL audience hits 15.5 million as 7plus surges

Seven’s AFL coverage reached 15.5 million Australians across the 2026 regular season, while viewing on 7plus Sport more than doubled year-on-year.

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Total reach increased from 14.6 million in 2025, while 7plus Sport’s reach jumped from 2.5 million to 4.7 million. Seven said the AFL also reached 11 per cent more people than Nine Network’s NRL coverage so far this year.

7plus delivers the biggest growth

Seven’s live AFL coverage recorded an average national total TV audience of 585,000, up 7 per cent on the 2025 regular season. The average audience on 7plus Sport climbed 127 per cent to 84,000.

Streaming accounted for 14 per cent of Seven’s AFL audience this season, doubling its share from 7 per cent in 2025.

Perth was Seven’s fastest-growing AFL market, with audiences up 40 per cent amid strong seasons from the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers. Audiences also increased 11 per cent in both Sydney and Brisbane.

Seven’s key prime time AFL windows all recorded year-on-year growth. Thursday Night Football rose 19 per cent, Friday Night Football increased 5 per cent and Sunday Night Football was up 1 per cent.

Fremantle clash leads regular season audiences

The Fremantle Dockers’ 9 July clash with the Sydney Swans drew 930,000 viewers. Seven said it was the biggest regular season prime time AFL audience since the 2022 season opener and the biggest Thursday night game in more than five years.

The King’s Birthday match between Collingwood and Melbourne attracted 923,000 viewers, up 7 per cent on 2025. Fremantle’s 14 August game against Adelaide drew 823,000, while Sydney’s Opening Round clash with Carlton reached 774,000.

Seven Head of AFL and Innovation Gary O’Keeffe said the network was now turning its attention to the finals and the inaugural Wildcard Round.

“The introduction of the Wildcard Round has kept more teams in contention and fans engaged for longer this season, with strong numbers across the board, including 7plus Sport up 127% year-on-year,” O’Keeffe said.

Seven turns attention to the finals

The Four’N Twenty Legends Game for Prostate Cancer will air on Seven on Thursday night, before the inaugural AFL Wildcard Round begins on Friday with the Western Bulldogs taking on Collingwood.

Seven will also carry every game of the AFL Finals live and free, including the AFL Grand Final.

Seven Director of Sales, Television and Streaming Katie Finney said the season had strengthened the AFL’s proposition for advertisers ahead of the finals.

“The AFL continues to cement its position as one of Australia’s most powerful platforms for connecting brands with audiences, reaching more Australians in 2026 and delivering unmatched scale, engagement and impact for sponsors and advertisers across every screen,” Finney said.

The figures are sourced from VOZ 5.0 National and compare the 2026 AFL regular season with 2025. Average audience figures cover match broadcasts including pre- and post-game programming, while reach includes pre- and post-game telecasts.