2026 AFL Key Dates (Player Overview)

Pre-Season & Season

• Season Start: 5 March 2026

• Home & Away Season: March → August (23 rounds)

Finals Series (NEW FORMAT)

• Wildcard Finals (Week 1): ~28–30 August 2026

• Finals Series: Late August → September

• Grand Final: 26 September 2026 (2:30pm AEST)

Note: 2026 introduces a top 10 finals system, so more players are involved late in the season.

Free Agency & Trade Period (Expected Timing)

(Based on standard AFL calendar — confirmed dates released annually)

• Free Agency: Early October (approx. first week)

• Trade Period: Early–mid October

• Trade Deadline: Mid October (7:30pm AEST)

Draft Period (Expected)

• National Draft: Mid–late November

• Rookie / Pre-season Draft: Immediately after

• Mid-Season Draft: Typically late May / early June (TBC for 2026)