The AFL’s new deal is worth $643 million a season – an upgrade on the $473 million per season under the terms of the current two-year deal that ends after the 2024 season.
The AFL will still have control of the Grand Final starting time, which it says will be an annual decision, but has made changes to its broadcast structure, with there to be Thursday night games in the first 15 rounds of the season from 2025 onwards. The same amount of games will be broadcast on free-to-air TV each season as is currently, but Fox Footy has won rights to have their own commentary teams for each game.
McLachlan said the new broadcast arrangement, which will expire in nine years, “contemplates” a 19-team competition as the AFL gets closer to making a call on Tasmania’s bid for a licence. The outgoing AFL boss said the broadcast deal didn’t change the equation for Tasmania’s hope of a standalone team.
The league is the big winner after it received a record five-year offer from Channel 9 that would have been worth a staggering $2.5 billion. The offer from Nine was a reported $55m a year more than the AFL currently earns after it signed a two-year extension worth $946 million during the Covid-impacted seasons.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the deal was “cash north of 4 (billion) and the rest contra” at a press conference on Tuesday confirming the deal.
Seven said it would pay a 14% increase on the 2024 rights in 2025 and “with indexation over the term this represents a 3.6% compound annual growth rate in rights fees across the period”.
KEY POINTS OF THE AFL’S NEW DEAL
- The deal will run for seven years, from 2025 to 2031
- It is worth $4.5 billion – the biggest sports broadcast rights deal in Australian history
- The same number of games will be broadcast on free-to-air TV each season
- The AFL will retain control of the timing of the Grand Final
- Seven and 7+ Digital will broadcast Thursday night games in each of the first 15 rounds of the season
- All marquee matches will be live and free on Seven (Dreamtime, Anzac Day Eve, Anzac Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday and Queen’s Birthday) plus at least three additional marquee matches – such as the season opener and Queen’s Birthday Eve
- All AFL and AFLW home and away games and finals (excluding the AFL Grand Final) will be broadcast on Foxtel and Kayo, with their own commentary teams
- Foxtel and Kayo will exclusively broadcast a ‘Super Saturday’ of games in each of the first eight rounds of the season (except Anzac Day Eve, Anzac Day and Dreamtime at the ‘G if they fall on Saturday)
- Outside of Victoria, the match involving the local team will be broadcast live into the local market by Seven, except selected matches on hold backs.
- Seven will broadcast at least 30 AFLW home and away games, AFLW finals and the AFLW Grand Final will be live on Seven, with local market substitution rules.
- There is potential for Friday night footy to begin before 7.50pm AEST.
- Saturday night matches in the last eight rounds
VICTORIA
Television and Digital
- A minimum of three matches per week live on the Seven Network and 7plus during the Premiership Season.
- All nine matches per week of the Premiership Season live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
- All Finals Series matches in Weeks 1-3 live on the Seven Network and 7plus, and Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
- AFL Grand Final live on Seven Network and 7plus.
Market Specifics (Premiership Season Only)
- A minimum of three matches per week live on the Seven Network and 7plus during the Premiership Season, including Thursday night, Friday night and Sunday afternoon.
- All designated marquee matches will be available live on the Seven Network and 7plus, including those marquee matches falling on a Saturday.
- All nine matches per week of the Premiership Season live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports, including all Saturday matches that will be exclusively live, other than those marquee matches noted above.
- There will be a minimum of 81 games available on the Seven Network and 7plus, this is the same number as the previous television rights agreement.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Television and Digital
- A minimum of three matches per week live on the Seven Network and 7plus during the Premiership Season.
- All nine matches per week of the Premiership Season live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
- All Finals Series matches in Weeks 1-3 live on the Seven Network and 7plus, and Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
- AFL Grand Final live on Seven Network and 7plus.
Market Specifics (Premiership Season Only)
- All 46 matches featuring the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide will be broadcast on the Seven Network and 7plus in South Australia, either live or on a delayed basis.
- Every match available live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports, including Super Saturday on Fox Footy.
- The first 12 matches played by the South Australian and Western Australian clubs collectively on a Saturday will be available exclusively live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports. These matches, when featuring the Adelaide Crows or Port Adelaide will also be available on the Seven Network and 7plus in South Australia on a delayed basis.
- In 2025, both Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide will have four Saturday matches on a free-to-air delay prior to Round Nine.
- There will be a minimum of 81 games available on the Seven Network and 7plus, this is the same number as the previous television rights agreement.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Television and Digital
- A minimum of three matches per week live on the Seven Network and 7plus during the Premiership Season.
- All nine matches per week of the Premiership Season live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
- All Finals Series matches in Weeks 1-3 live on the Seven Network and 7plus, and Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
- AFL Grand Final live on Seven Network and 7plus.
Market Specifics (Premiership Season Only)
- All 46 matches featuring Fremantle and West Coast Eagles will be broadcast on the Seven Network and 7plus in South Australia, either live or on a delayed basis.
- Every match available live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports, including Super Saturday on Fox Footy.
- The first 12 matches played by the Western Australian and South Australian clubs collectively on a Saturday will be available exclusively live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports. These matches, when featuring Fremantle or West Coast Eagles will also be available on the Seven Network and 7plus in Western Australia on a delayed basis.
- In 2025, both Fremantle and West Coast Eagles will have two Saturday matches on a free-to-air delay prior to Round 9.
- There will be a minimum of 81 games available on the Seven Network and 7plus, this is the same number as the previous television rights agreement.
QUEENSLAND
Television and Digital
- A minimum of three matches per week live on the Seven Network and 7plus during the Premiership Season.
- All nine matches per week of the Premiership Season live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
- All Finals Series matches in Weeks 1-3 live on the Seven Network and 7plus, and Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
- AFL Grand Final live on Seven Network and 7plus.
Market Specifics (Premiership Season Only)
- All 46 matches featuring Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast SUNS will be broadcast on the Seven Network and 7plus in Queensland, either live or on a delayed basis.
- Every match available live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports, including Super Saturday on Fox Footy.
- A maximum of 24 matches can be played collectively by the Queensland and New South Wales clubs on a Saturday in the first 10 rounds of the season. These Saturday matches will be available exclusively live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports. These matches, when featuring Brisbane Lions or Gold Coast SUNS will also be available on the Seven Network and 7plus in Queensland on a delayed basis.
- In 2025, Brisbane Lions will have four matches and, Gold Coast SUNS will have six Saturday matches on a free-to-air delay prior to Round 11.
- There will be a minimum of 81 games available on the Seven Network and 7plus, this is the same number as the previous television rights agreement.
NEW SOUTH WALES/AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Television and Digital
- A minimum of three matches per week live on the Seven Network and 7plus during the Premiership Season.
- All nine matches per week of the Premiership Season live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
- All Finals Series matches in Weeks 1-3 live on the Seven Network and 7plus, and Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
- AFL Grand Final live on Seven Network and 7plus.
Market Specifics (Premiership Season Only)
- All 46 matches featuring GWS GIANTS and Sydney Swans will be broadcast on the Seven Network and 7plus in New South Wales, either live or on a delayed basis.
- Every match available live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports, including Super Saturday on Fox Footy.
- A maximum of 24 matches can be played collectively by the New South Wales and Queensland clubs on a Saturday in the first 10 rounds of the season. These Saturday matches will be available exclusively live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports. These matches, when featuring GWS GIANTS or Sydney Swans will also be available on the Seven Network and 7plus in New South Wales on a delayed basis.
- In 2025, GWS GIANTS will have four matches and, Sydney Swans will have three Saturday matches on a free-to-air delay prior to Round 11.
- There will be a minimum of 81 games available on the Seven Network and 7plus, this is the same number as the previous television rights agreement.
TASMANIA
Television and Digital
- A minimum of three matches per week live on the Seven Network and 7plus during the Premiership Season.
- All nine matches per week of the Premiership Season live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
- All Finals Series matches in Weeks 1-3 live on the Seven Network and 7plus, and Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
- AFL Grand Final live on Seven Network and 7plus.
Market Specifics (Premiership Season Only)
- A minimum of three matches per week live on the Seven Network and 7plus during the Premiership Season, including Thursday night, Friday night and Sunday afternoon.
- All designated marquee matches will be available live on the Seven Network and 7plus, including those marquee matches falling on a Saturday.
- All nine matches per week of the Premiership Season live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports, including all Saturday matches that will be exclusively live, other than those marquee matches noted above.
- There will be a minimum of 81 games available on the Seven Network and 7plus, this is the same number as the previous television rights agreement.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Television and Digital
- A minimum of three matches per week live on the Seven Network and 7plus during the Premiership Season.
- All nine matches per week of the Premiership Season live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
- All Finals Series matches in Weeks 1-3 live on the Seven Network and 7plus, and Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
- AFL Grand Final live on Seven Network and 7plus.
Market Specifics (Premiership Season Only)
- A minimum of three matches per week live on the Seven Network and 7plus during the Premiership Season, including Thursday night, Friday night and Sunday afternoon.
- All designated marquee matches will be available live on the Seven Network and 7plus, including those marquee matches falling on a Saturday.
- All nine matches per week of the Premiership Season live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports, including all Saturday matches that will be exclusively live, other than those marquee matches noted above.
- There will be a minimum of 81 games available on the Seven Network and 7plus, this is the same number as the previous television rights agreement.
References
- https://www.afl.com.au/news/837244/afl-reveals-new-broadcast-rights-deal-from-2025
- https://www.afl.com.au/matches/broadcast-guide/broadcast-rights
- https://archive.sen.com.au/news/2022/09/06/all-the-details-of-the-afls-new-broadcast-rights-deal/index.html
- https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-news-2022-tv-rights-deal-broadcast-foxtel-and-seven-sign-new-contract-to-show-afl-until-end-of-2031-how-to-watch-games/news-story/527d0361e596881dcf2b879d4c80817c
- https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-news-2022-tv-rights-deal-broadcast-foxtel-and-seven-sign-new-contract-to-show-afl-until-end-of-2031-how-to-watch-games/news-story/527d0361e596881dcf2b879d4c80817c
- https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/sep/06/seven-and-foxtel-to-keep-afl-rights-in-record-45bn-seven-year-deal
- https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/afl-rakes-in-the-riches-as-mclachlan-plays-a-blinder-20220906-p5bfwr.html
- https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-signs-unprecedented-new-tv-deal-after-record-500m-bid/news-story/f95327bcc3813e9bc37baf32aa9421a2
- https://www.smh.com.au/sport/afl/seven-and-foxtel-sign-massive-seven-year-afl-broadcast-rights-deal-20220905-p5bfhx.html
- https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-signs-385-billion-broadcast-rights-deal-to-keep-seven-and-fox-sports-the-home-of-footy/news-story/ab546ec77111931a758b933b7fc49a5b
