Opening Round - 2026

[Beaussie]

Big wins for Sydney and Gold Coast to open the 2026 season.

Thursday night had the biggest average tv audience, and better tv ratings than any prime time home and away game from the 2025 season. Streaming numbers very pleasing for Channel 7 too.

AFL Opening Round smashed the much hyped NRL in Vegas season opener in the tv ratings too.

Opening Round is here to stay.

Rank Description Network Reach Average BVOD

1 SEVEN’S AFL: THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Seven 2,251,000 780,000 131,000



Australia’s Game

[Beaussie]

The Gold Coast Suns recorded a crowd of 19,859 at People First Stadium for their 2026 AFL Opening Round clash against the Geelong Cats on Friday night.

And an encouraging crowd for Greater Western Sydney this afternoon. I noticed Albo and Tom Hanks in the crowd today too.

[Beaussie]

Opening Round crowds:


Sydney vs Carlton @ SCG (Sydney) 40,372

Greater Western Sydney vs Hawthorn @ Engie Stadium (Sydney) 16,157

Gold Coast vs Geelong @ People First Stadium (Gold Coast) 19,859

Brisbane vs Western Bulldogs @ Gabba (Brisbane) 31,606

St Kilda vs Collingwood @ MCG (Melbourne) 82,528

[leeroy*NRL*]

Solid crowds in northern states for the opening games.
most impressive would have to be the Swans 40k pretty good

St Kilda biggest i think i heard>> even know we know its because of Collingwood.

[leeroy*NRL*]

Question is >>> does the AFL still do Opening Round in 2027

especially with now 5 games on

and which also looks to be an annual Origin Match

[makingnrlfansgowacko]

GWS almost and GC out drawing the Storm

Good start by those expansion teams vs last years NRL grand final runner up

[leeroy*NRL*]

GWS almost and GC out drawing the Storm

Good start by those expansion teams vs last years NRL grand final runner up

the difference is, Suns were outdrawn by the CATS fans
and Hawks were not to far behind

[makingnrlfansgowacko]

GWS almost and GC out drawing the Storm

Good start by those expansion teams vs last years NRL grand final runner up

the difference is, Suns were outdrawn by the CATS fans
and Hawks were not to far behind

The numbers don’t show that conspiracy and I couldn’t really care the suns out drew the storm

[Beaussie]

Question is >>> does the AFL still do Opening Round in 2027

especially with now 5 games on

and which also looks to be an annual Origin Match

100% the AFL continues with Opening Round considering the record tv ratings.




It is however disappointing that the idea was to focus on the northern states, yet due to the broadcast agreement, Saturday afternoon’s game - Giants vs Hawks was shown on 4 hour delay into Sydney, and the Lions vs Bulldogs was delayed coverage into Brisbane on Channel 7 on Saturday night, as the games were exclusive to Fox Footy/Kayo. Meanwhile Saints vs Pies was shown Sunday night on 7mate and 7plus live in NSW and QLD.

[Beaussie]

Now getting ridiculous. First they get Gather Round that was originally intended for Sydney, now they want in on Opening Round too.

[Fred]

GWS almost and GC out drawing the Storm

Good start by those expansion teams vs last years NRL grand final runner up

the difference is, Suns were outdrawn by the CATS fans
and Hawks were not to far behind

I wasn’t there - as overseas/ but is this true / I mean factually ?

[leeroy*NRL*]

GWS almost and GC out drawing the Storm

Good start by those expansion teams vs last years NRL grand final runner up

the difference is, Suns were outdrawn by the CATS fans
and Hawks were not to far behind

I wasn’t there - as overseas/ but is this true / I mean factually ?

Suns really only get outdrawn by
Collingwood
Geelong
and Maybe Richmond & Essendon

rest is fair game with majority SUNS

[leeroy*NRL*]

Question is >>> does the AFL still do Opening Round in 2027

especially with now 5 games on

and which also looks to be an annual Origin Match

100% the AFL continues with Opening Round considering the record tv ratings.




It is however disappointing that the idea was to focus on the northern states, yet due to the broadcast agreement, Saturday afternoon’s game - Giants vs Hawks was shown on 4 hour delay into Sydney, and the Lions vs Bulldogs was delayed coverage into Brisbane on Channel 7 on Saturday night, as the games were exclusive to Fox Footy/Kayo. Meanwhile Saints vs Pies was shown Sunday night on 7mate and 7plus live in NSW and QLD.

i do not think Opening Round generates better ratings >>
it is because it was 1st game of the season..

A competitive Big Victorian Clash would generate big numbers on opening night

for what they are using opening round for >> it has to be broadcast LIVE on FTA opening weekend.

Like you stated GWS and Lions on a delay is a joke. (no one watches)