IT IS exciting times as not only is AFLW Fantasy back for 2026, but the game has changed.

Fantasy sport has its origins in the 1950s with baseball in the USA. For more than two decades there has been AFL Fantasy in a variety of formats, including the much-loved AFL Fantasy for the men's competition.

AFLW FANTASY Pick your team now

In 2023, the official AFLW Fantasy game launched.

Why do people like playing Fantasy sports? It's a great way to add some extra enjoyment to your footy experience. You can take an interest in more games than your own team's, learn about players across the League and put your knowledge to the test among other like-minded fans.

Plus, there are some great prizes to be won.

We'll get you started with the key things to know about playing AFLW Fantasy. Get set for a big season where bragging rights could be yours!

Scoring

Players' scores are calculated based on their statistics in games. Official Fantasy scoring for AFLW games is based on nine simple statistic categories as compiled by Champion Data, AFLW's official statisticians.

The statistics can be followed at the game live or in the palm of your hand.

If your player kicks the ball, they'll get three points. A mark is worth three points. If your player kicks a goal, they'll get three points for the kick and six points for the goal – a mark, kick and goal is worth a much celebrated 12 points!

Picking a team

AFLW Fantasy is a salary cap game. Coaches have a budget of $18,000,000 to pick their squad.

Prices range from season seven's top scorer, Laura Gardiner, at $1,380,000 to players yet to debut at $200,000.

Unfortunately, you can't pick a team full of the best players, you need to manage the salary cap to pick your squad of 29 players, which is up from 21 last year.

The squad is made up of 21 on-field players who will score points for you each week. Six defenders, eight midfielders, one ruck and six forwards. There are two bench positions in defence, the midfield and forward line, and one in the ruck, plus a utility. It's best to have lower-priced players on the bench.

Players are priced based on their output from the previous season. There are plenty of value selections to be found, including those players who were injured or missed games.

A key strategy coaches in AFL Fantasy have employed is picking value players.

The aforementioned discounted players fit this criteria, but picking a player who has a breakout season is a way to set your team up for success. Rookies are also players that are important to nail in your starting squad and during the season.

If there's one tip in picking your starting squad, it is to find upside in every player you select.

Entering a league

One of the best things about playing Fantasy sport is taking on your mates.

You can create a league by pointing to Leagues > Create a league. Here you can create either an open league (unlimited participants) or a head-to-head league (between 2-20 participants).

An open league will rank coaches based on total points scores, whereas a head-to-head league puts coach against coach in weekly match-ups, competing for a place in the optional round 12 Grand Final.

Set up a league for your family, friends, work mates, footy club and share the link/code for some added entertainment and banter throughout the season.

During the season

When round one rolls around, the fun begins.

Leading up to the season start, coaches will piece together their team and lock in their 29 players. Make sure you have all positions filled for your team to be eligible to begin the season.

Listen to the AFLW Fantasy Podcast with Free Kick at Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 

A captain is nominated each week and they will score double points. This should be the player you think will score the most points. Some coaches like to lock in their highest priced player, or during the season, the player who is averaging the most points. Some like to look at match-ups as some teams give up more Fantasy points than others. Tap the 'C' to nominate your captain. The captain will be locked in as soon as the player's game commences and cannot be changed until the round finishes.

A vice-captain (VC) is nominated to get double points if the captain doesn't play.

Emergencies will come from the players on the bench. An emergency will be activated if there is a non-playing player in your starting 21. You will need to nominate an emergency in each position for that player to potentially count.

AFLW FANTASY Pick your team now

The key responsibility of a Fantasy coach is to make their trades from week to week. In AFLW Fantasy, coaches are given three trades each round. The use them or lose them trades can be used for trading injured or suspended players … or can be used tactically.

Early in the season, trades are best used on making sure you've got the best players at any given price point. If there is a lower-priced player who is scoring well, consider getting them in to not only help manage the budget, but to help with cash generation.

Successful coaches will be those who have players who make money and work towards trading to the best team possible.

Stay tuned to AFL.com.au/AFLW and the AFL Women's App for Fantasy tips to help you dominate this season of the Official AFLW Fantasy game.