AFL Fixture Blueprint

Finding the right balance in creating an AFL fixture is a thorough process with an obligation to many stakeholders.

From fans to broadcast agreements to club commercial requirements there is a fair amount to consider for each to receive a return.

The increase in Thursday night games this season has provided an opportunity to showcase the game more in primetime TV slots. 

With a strong link between TV ratings and competitive games there needs to be an emphasis in identifying and allocating premium games for those primetime slots. 

The game will benefit with continual healthy broadcast deals which ultimately rewards the players. 

Introducing several adjustments should be considered for the 2026 AFL fixture and beyond. 

Consistent start times

Throughout the season there are multiple changes in start times for the same slot, as much as possible it should be a priority to provide the consumer with consistency without having to check a fixture.

Every Saturday and Sunday the viewing audience should become familiar with the first start time and accept it as normal. 

Primetime games 

Rewarding teams for performance should be a key element for the early scheduled part of the fixture.

Implementing a rotation system can ensure a spread of teams get equal access for opportunities in primetime games to maximise their commercial obligations. 

This should also provide maximum viewing interest for TV networks to get a strong return on their investment.

Five day breaks are limited for use and therefore should not be used in the early part of the fixture, this will allow for maximum fixture opportunities late in the season when utilising the floating fixture.  

Rotating teams in and out of Thursday and Friday night slots:

Teams that perform well the previous season are put into a group with AFL/TV networks negotiating which games they want to broadcast for the early part of the season notwithstanding other obligations to other commercial arrangements already in place for AFL/TV networks/teams.

Rotation Example

Week 1

Thursday: Team A v Team B
Friday: Team C v Team D
Saturday Pool: Remaining premium teams 

Week 2

Thursday: Team B v Team C
Friday: Team D v Team E
Saturday Pool: Remaining premium teams (Team A drops into this pool, Team E has moved from Saturday Week 1 to Friday Week 2)

Week 3

Thursday: Team C v Team E
Friday: Team F v Team G
Saturday Pool: Remaining premium teams (Team B now drops into this pool, Team F has now moved from Saturday Week 2 to Friday Week 3 along with Team G. A five-day break has been avoided with team E playing consecutive 6-day breaks)

*The number of premium teams should be set at a minimum of 10 to allow for increased primetime fixture opportunities. 

**Alteration to the rotation is required to avoid repeat games, this may involve a secondary Friday game at times and if required to provide new primetime fixture opportunities. 

*** Premium pool teams play all other teams when allocated to play on a Saturday or Sunday. 

Teams that move out of the Thursday/Friday rotation can drop back to a Sunday but must enter the Saturday pool of teams prior to playing a Friday night game, this removes the need to utilise 5-day breaks early in the season. 

Teams that have a 5-day break have minimal training, preparation and mostly recover prior to a game, removing that obstacle has the opportunity to provide maximum performance therefore a better product.  

Additional Friday games can be scheduled at any time for special calendar days such as Good Friday. 

This would also increase flexibility for primetime games the following week. 

If required a primetime TV game can at any stage fixture any team for AFL/Broadcast/commercial/fixture requirements. 

Saturday Games

There is an amazing opportunity to showcase the Saturday night timeslot into a primetime viewing game, rather than spread the audience over 2 games there should be one game isolated for a premium content. 

The starting time for a Saturday night game currently allows for pre-game content and should be retained.  

The adjustment for Saturday will be an extra early game which has the same starting time.

Saturday Starting Times AET:
1:15pm
1:15pm
4:15pm
7:35pm

*If there is a requirement to add an extra Friday game then remove the extra early Saturday start game. 

There is the possibility throughout the year to add a ‘flex’ change option for Saturday games to ensure the Saturday night time slot is the best available game, the AFL can adjust game/s to a different timeslot based on interest/audience opportunities. 

While unlikely to be used often AFL/Fox Footy should have the capability to maximise their return on investment. 

The games that have an option to be used as a ‘flex’ should not include any team that has travel implications for teams and fans. Basically local games can be used in a ‘flex’ option only. 

Sunday Games

Maintaining the same starting times and maximising the TV audience across multiple networks should be implemented, no more overlapping of games on a Sunday that frustrate and diminish the viewing experience. 

The aim of the fixture will rely on each team to host at least 1 game on the late Sunday timeslot, using daylight saving time difference WA teams can absorb early season late Sunday timeslots which also has a protective measure of moving away from potential hot seasonal Perth weather. 

Take advantage of key popular matchups such as a Derby in WA or Showdown in SA, school holidays should be identified in local markets as well as the potential for travelling opposition fans in a school holiday period to maximise attendances. 

If a Derby in WA or Showdown in SA is allocated one late Sunday timeslot that is offset with a primetime TV slot on a Thursday N or Friday N (only if requested by competing teams).  

Sunday Starting Times AET:
12:15pm
3:15pm
6:15pm

*If Channel 7 has rights for the late Sunday game the starting time will be adjusted to 7:35pm AET. 

The early start on the Sunday provides an opportunity to showcase AFL in the U.S. on Saturday nights in primetime slots, usually an AFL season is played out of season for the NFL while the NBA finishes in late June.

This year the AFL Grand Final entertainment pre-game show will be performed by Snoop Dogg, his platform and following will ignite interest across the globe and in the U.S. which is an opportunity not to be ignored.

A 12:15pm AET should now become a showcase game not only in Australia but in U.S. markets. 

Other Additions

*There can be a point in the season where there is some form of parity, teams play each other once before secondary games are played.  

Teams should play one game against an opponent prior to a repeat game, holding back the second game allows for premium games to be scheduled late in the season. 

Based on yearly final 8 changes over several years it’s likely most of the early season premium games will remain premium to finish the next season. 

*Teams that play each other in opening round must share the same early season bye, this would allow flexibility for any fixture disruption for unforeseen events.  

*Teams that have a mid-season bye must play each other in the first week coming out of their bye week, this adds a bit of balance.

Article by @aflratingsPete

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