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Please enter via our online entry site: afl.com.au/footyfocus

All entrants must be over the age of 18. 

No, there is no fee to enter Footy Focus 26. 

There is no limit to the number of entries you may submit. However, we encourage photographers to focus on quality over quantity. 

Once your files have been uploaded and saved, they are automatically included in the competition.   

Yes. All submissions must be captured between Saturday, 27 September 2025 and Sunday, 20 September 2026 

Files must be submitted as JPEGs. No borders, watermarks or signatures should be included. 

No, you can only enter the same image once. 

Black-and-white images are welcome and will be judged alongside colour images. Only one version of an image may be entered, so you cannot submit both colour and black-and-white versions of the same photograph. 

Images must accurately represent the original scene as photographed. The addition, removal, replacement or relocation of people, objects, backgrounds or other visual elements is not permitted. Images that do not comply may be disqualified. Please view the full Terms & Conditions here

You may use any editing software provided your adjustments comply with the Footy Focus editing rules. Permitted adjustments include cropping, exposure, white balance, colour and tonal adjustments, contrast, sharpening, noise reduction and black-and-white conversion, provided they do not alter the authenticity of the scene. You may be asked to provide original files for verification. Please view the full Terms & Conditions here 

Images that progress through judging may be subject to an authenticity review. Entrants may be asked to provide the original RAW file or original JPEG (where RAW is unavailable), along with any relevant metadata, to verify their submission. 

An independent panel of judges, led by a judging chair, will assess all entries anonymously. Judging takes place over two rounds. Images progressing to the final round will undergo an authenticity review to ensure they comply with the competition rules and ethical standards.

The panel will be looking for:

• Essence – Does the image capture the essence of grassroots Australian Football?
• Impact – Does the image have "wow" factor and create an emotional connection?
• Composition – Does the composition enhance the image and showcase the subject effectively?
• Technical – Is the image technically strong (focus, exposure, white balance, etc ?
• Creativity – Does the image present a unique perspective or creative approach?

• Major Prize – The winner, as judged by the AFL, will win a money-can’t-buy experience to shoot alongside AFL Chief Photographer Michael Willson at a Toyota AFL Premiership Season match at the MCG in 2027.
• People’s Choice Award – The photographer whose image is voted the fans’ favourite will receive an unforgettable 2027 Gather Round experience.

              Full prize details can be viewed in terms and conditions.

The AFL Judged Winner will be announced on Friday, 2 October 2026. The People's Choice Winner will be announced on Friday, 9 October 2026. 

Please email us at footy.focus@afl.com.au and we'll be happy to help. 

Visit afl.com.au/footyfocus throughout the competition for updates, finalists and winner announcements.