By AFL Fixture · Rules checked · Based on the published 2026 laws and regulations
What does AFL stand for?
AFL means Australian Football League, the national elite men’s competition in Australian rules football. You will also hear the sport called Australian football, Aussie rules or footy. People often say “AFL” for the sport, but the league and the code are not quite the same thing.
AFLW is the national women’s competition. This site’s fixture tools cover the men’s 2027 premiership season, so an empty date here does not rule out AFLW, state-league or community footy being played.
Is AFL rugby? Australian rules vs rugby league and union
No. All three use an oval ball, but they have different rules, fields and ways to score. NRL stands for National Rugby League; it is not another name for AFL.
Australian rules · AFL
- Players
- 18 on the ground per side
- Ground
- Oval ground; four posts at each end
- Moving the ball
- Kick or handball in any direction; no throwing
- Main scoring plays
- A goal is 6 points; a behind is 1.
Rugby league · NRL
- Players
- 13 on the ground per side
- Ground
- Rectangular field with try lines and H-shaped posts
- Moving the ball
- Pass backwards or sideways; kick to move the ball forward
- Main scoring plays
- A try is 4 points; a conversion is 2.
Rugby union · 15-a-side
- Players
- 15 on the ground per side
- Ground
- Rectangular field with try lines and H-shaped posts
- Moving the ball
- Pass backwards or sideways; kick to move the ball forward
- Main scoring plays
- A try is 5 points; a conversion is 2.
These are the standard senior formats, not sevens or junior variations. The rugby columns show the main scoring plays, not every kind of kick at goal. “Footy” can mean different codes in different parts of Australia, so check the competition name when finding a match.
The oval, goal posts and players
Each side attacks one end and changes ends after each quarter. There are 18 players per team on the ground, with interchange players rotating from the bench. Forwards, midfielders and defenders have roles, but players move around the oval rather than staying in fixed boxes.
Rule reference: Laws of Australian Football 2026 ↗
Basic AFL rules to know before your first game
Kicking and handballing
Players move the ball with kicks or handballs. To handball, hold the ball in one hand and strike it with the other clenched fist. Throwing it, or simply handing it to a teammate, is not a legal disposal. Unlike a rugby pass, a handball can go forward.
Taking a mark
A clean catch of another player’s kick can earn a mark if the ball travelled at least 15 metres without touching the ground or another player. The player can take a protected kick or choose to play on. Listen for the umpire’s call: a touched or short kick does not earn the same protection.
Running with the ball
A player carrying the ball must bounce it or touch it on the ground at least every 15 metres. That is a distance rule, not permission to run for 15 seconds.
Tackling
A legal tackle targets the player with the ball, below the shoulders and above the knees. High contact, a push in the back and dangerous tackles can bring a free kick against the tackler. Having the ball does not make every kind of contact legal.
Holding the ball
A legal tackle does not automatically win a free kick. The decision depends on matters such as prior opportunity, how the player tries to dispose of the ball, and whether they drag it in. With prior opportunity, the ball carrier must immediately kick or handball correctly when legally tackled. Without prior opportunity, the rules distinguish a genuine attempt from simply holding onto it.
Out of bounds
The boundary umpire commonly throws the ball back in after it goes out. A kick that goes out on the full can give the opposition a free kick. Insufficient intent to keep the ball in play can also lead to a free, so not every boundary exit has the same restart.
Free kicks and “play on”
A whistle can award a free kick or stop play. “Play on” tells everyone that normal contesting can resume. A mark, a free kick and a ball-up are different outcomes; the umpire’s signal helps explain why the players have stopped.
Rule reference: Laws of Australian Football 2026 ↗
How long is an AFL game?
Men’s AFL matches have four quarters of 20 minutes of playing time, plus time-on. The clock stops for specified interruptions, so a quarter lasts longer than 20 minutes in real time. Add quarter-time, half-time and three-quarter-time breaks when planning your evening.
Allow roughly two and a half hours for the match as a planning guide, not a guaranteed finish time. A late stoppage or finals extra time can make it longer. The fixture’s start time is the start of play—often called first bounce—not the broadcaster’s pre-match programme.
Rule reference: Laws of Australian Football 2026 ↗
How scoring and the AFL season work
Goals, behinds and totals
A goal is six points and a behind one. In a worked example, 12.8 (80) means 12 goals, eight behinds and 80 points. The larger total wins, not necessarily the larger goal count.
Learn to read a score →Home-and-away matches and finals
The home-and-away season builds the premiership ladder. Finals then decide the premier. Use the season-specific finals guide for qualification and the route to the Grand Final.
2027 finals format →Find a club and your first AFL game
Start with a club you want to follow, or find a game near you. A Melbourne city fixture means the game takes place in Melbourne; it does not necessarily involve Melbourne Football Club. Club pages show opponents, home and away games, grounds and viewing options.
Adelaide Crows
Brisbane Lions
Carlton
Collingwood
Essendon
Fremantle
Geelong Cats
Gold Coast SUNS
GWS GIANTS
Hawthorn
Melbourne
North Melbourne
Port Adelaide
Richmond
St Kilda
Sydney Swans
West Coast Eagles
Western BulldogsCheck the match’s date, local time and ground before travelling. For television or streaming, select your viewing region: free coverage and subscription listings can differ across Australia.
Common questions about AFL
What does AFL stand for?
Australian Football League. The name refers to the league, although Australians also use AFL informally when talking about Australian rules football.
Is AFL the same as rugby or NRL?
No. Australian rules, rugby league and rugby union are different codes. NRL is a rugby league competition; AFL clubs play Australian rules.
How many players are on an AFL team?
There are 18 players per side on the ground in the men’s AFL competition, with interchange players available from the bench. That is different from the number on a club’s season list.
Why do players stop after catching a kick?
They may have taken a mark: a clean catch of a kick that travelled at least 15 metres without touching the ground or another player. The player can take a protected kick or play on.
Can you throw the football?
No. A handball means holding the ball in one hand and striking it with the other clenched fist. It is not an underarm throw.
Where should I start if I want to watch a game?
Choose a club or a nearby city, then open a match for the first-bounce time, ground and viewing options. Set your viewing region in the TV guide before choosing a channel or streaming service.
Official rules & further reading
These guides explain the men’s AFL competition. Junior, community and women’s competitions can use different playing conditions. Check the AFL’s published rules for changes before a new season; this page does not assume unannounced 2027 changes.
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