The AFL has today confirmed that the 2026 NAB AFLW Grand Final will be played in a primetime Friday night timeslot on 27 November, following endorsement from the AFL Commission.
The announcement marks the earliest the AFL has locked in the date, timeslot and prospective host venues for a NAB AFLW Grand Final, providing clubs, fans, broadcasters and venue partners with greater certainty than ever before.
As part of the announcement, the AFL has also confirmed the prospective host venue for each club should they qualify as the highest-ranked Grand Finalist:
- Ikon Park – Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Hawthorn, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Richmond, St Kilda and Western Bulldogs
- GMHBA Stadium – Geelong Cats
- Norwood Oval – Adelaide Crows
- Alberton Oval – Port Adelaide
- Sullivan Logistics Stadium – Fremantle and West Coast Eagles
- Brighton Homes Arena – Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast SUNS
- Henson Park – GWS GIANTS and Sydney Swans. The AFL will install broadcast lighting to facilitate a night Grand Final if required.
AFL Executive General Manager of AFLW, Health and Football Operations Laura Kane said the NAB AFLW Grand Final had earned a national prime-time stage.
“AFLW belongs in prime time, and a Friday night Grand Final provides the perfect opportunity to put our competition and the incredible talent across it, front and centre,” Kane said.
“The biggest match of the AFLW season has earned a national primetime stage, with fans right across the country able to tune in live on the Seven Network, Foxtel, Kayo and Binge as we showcase the very best of AFLW and create a marquee sporting moment.”
The 2026 NAB AFLW Grand Final will be broadcast live nationally on the Seven Network, 7plus, Foxtel, Kayo and Binge.
The AFL has also confirmed that the 2026 W Awards will be held at Centrepiece in Melbourne on Monday, 23 November, while the 2026 Telstra AFLW Draft will take place at the MCG on Monday, 14 December.
The competition is set to celebrate the excellence and contribution of First Nations people to Australian Rules Football over the next fortnight, with AFLW Indigenous Round taking place across Round 3 and 4.
Round 3 will also feature a game in every state and territory within the same round for the first time in AFL/ AFLW history. The round begins on Saturday afternoon with reigning premiers North Melbourne taking on the Western Bulldogs at UTAS Stadium in Launceston and concludes on Sunday night with the annual Dreamtime match between Essendon and Richmond at TIO Stadium in Darwin.
