AFL & NRL Footy TV Ratings - 2026

[Fred]

Surely that crowd figure isn’t correct??

what is wrong with it ?

it is 3 days attendance for each day x 3

Isn't it a bit low ?? 148661 total attendance - I must be reading this wrong. Did they leave a zero off maybe?

[leeroy*NRL*]

Surely that crowd figure isn’t correct??

what is wrong with it ?

it is 3 days attendance for each day x 3

Isn't it a bit low ?? 148661 total attendance - I must be reading this wrong. Did they leave a zero off maybe?

abit low ??? you cannot really fit any more in the stadium Freddy
maybe a few k in total. over the 3 days

it is 3 days with attendance per day>> as you buy a day ticket.

[Fred]

Okay I see - so it is not per match. You'd think they could maximise that a bit more - but maybe that's the beauty of it I guess.

[Beaussie]

Another big Thursday night win for the AFL up against the NRL in reach and average tv ratings last night. Just for you Terry


Thursday 21 May

SEVEN’S AFL: THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Seven 1,738,000 630,000 83,000


THURSDAY NIGHT NRL LIVE Nine 1,342,000 575,000 122,000

[Terry]

Another big Thursday night win for the AFL up against the NRL in reach and average tv ratings last night. Just for you Terry


Thursday 21 May

SEVEN’S AFL: THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Seven 1,738,000 630,000 83,000


THURSDAY NIGHT NRL LIVE Nine 1,342,000 575,000 122,000

Thanks beatup. A small and irregular win to fumbling on FTA. Of course once Fox/kayo is added it will be another easy win to Rugby League. And we are now in the Origin period where all eyes are on next Wednesday's game where up to 4M viewers will watch. Got any fumbling mid season games that get ratings like that pal??? Nah...................didn't think so!!!!!!!!!!

[Beaussie]

Gee whiz, another thumping win for the AFL head to head with the NRL last night. The NRL also featured the Melbourne Storm prime time on Channel 9 in Melbourne.

Friday 22 May

Richmond vs Essendon - Dreamtime at the G / Fremantle vs St Kilda (7mate Perth)

SEVEN’S AFL: FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Seven 1,943,000 694,000 91,000


Canterbury/Bankstown vs Melbourne

FRIDAY NIGHT NRL LIVE Nine 1,461,000 648,000 142,000

[Terry]

Gee whiz, another thumping win for the AFL head to head with the NRL last night. The NRL also featured the Melbourne Storm prime time on Channel 9 in Melbourne.

Friday 22 May

Richmond vs Essendon - Dreamtime at the G / Fremantle vs St Kilda (7mate Perth)

SEVEN’S AFL: FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Seven 1,943,000 694,000 91,000


Canterbury/Bankstown vs Melbourne

FRIDAY NIGHT NRL LIVE Nine 1,461,000 648,000 142,000

Gee whiz, are you auditioning to be the resident stand-up comic beatup??? Once fox/kayo comes in this is another smashing win to the NRL. But you know this pal. Your desperation is showing.

[Beaussie]

Not that any Fox/Kayo numbers are available, but I would assume the audience numbers for the AFL would be even bigger considering the massive increase in streaming numbers that have been reported in the past for the AFL since the new broadcast agreement took effect.

[Terry]

Not that any Fox/Kayo numbers are available, but I would assume the audience numbers for the AFL would be even bigger considering the massive increase in streaming numbers that have been reported in the past for the AFL since the new broadcast agreement took effect.

Nup. RL smashes fumbling on fox/kayo. Always has. Always will.

[makingnrlfansgowacko]

Not that any Fox/Kayo numbers are available, but I would assume the audience numbers for the AFL would be even bigger considering the massive increase in streaming numbers that have been reported in the past for the AFL since the new broadcast agreement took effect.

Nup. RL smashes fumbling on fox/kayo. Always has. Always will.

the only people that care are the NRL peoples. the Networks seem not to

[Terry]

RL absolutely annihilating the fumbling game on FTA 2026. NRL: avg 630,679. AFL: 444,230. NRL 1.5M more viewers with 13 less games. That's what ya call an almighty unmitigated flogging sports fans. Booooodifoooool to see!!!!!

[leeroy*NRL*]

judging by the lift for KAYO last year 2025 by AFL under new tv deal with lots of exclusives..
NRL still was a lot higher by end of year numbers

so no reason the NRL would not be exceeding that total again and increase in Percentage.

Growth for NRL to AFL for ratings is widely increasing.. since 2019 year on year.. fox and fta

[Fred]

Without Fox ratings it’s hard to know - particularly with greater limited coverage on FTA for AFL. These FTA ratings are just that FTA - do they include streaming on 7? As that is another newish factor.

[Beaussie]

Without Fox ratings it’s hard to know - particularly with greater limited coverage on FTA for AFL. These FTA ratings are just that FTA - do they include streaming on 7? As that is another newish factor.

Lots of free to air tv ratings also unavailable /not reported for the AFL, particularly Saturday afternoons and nights.

Streaming numbers on 7plus are also included in BVOD and available totals reported.

[Beaussie]

Saturday 23 May

North Melbourne vs Gold Coast (QLD) / Geelong vs Sydney (NSW/ACT) / Collingwood vs West Coast (WA)

SEVEN’S AFL: SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOOTBALL Seven 762,000 243,000 28,000

TV ratings for Saturday night football featuring Port Adelaide vs Carlton (SA only) not available.


A-League Grand Final
Auckland vs Sydney FC

FOOTBALL: ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 10 569,000 214,000 25,000

The A-League Men 2026 Grand Final had an average audience of 214k live on 10 and 10Bold from 5:30pm. This was well down on last year’s game that started at 7:30pm and had 331k. Also easily beaten by Saturday afternoon AFL in reach and average tv ratings.