AFL signs mega broadcast rights deal with Seven and Fox Sports

Aidan Cellini

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AFL signs mega broadcast rights deal with Seven and Fox Sports image

The AFL has signed off on a whopping $4.5 billion broadcast rights deal with Seven and Fox Sports on Tuesday.

It is reported that the pitch from Seven West Media is worth roughly $643 million a year over seven years, running from 2025 to 2031.

The $4.5 billion price tag is the largest in Australian sports history, making the AFL the king of the codes across the nation.

This new deal is after the AFL renewed its rights with current broadcasters Seven and Fox Sports for 2022-2024, which resulted in a yielding of $946 million in cash and advertising.

Network Ten and its streaming partner, Paramount, came close to securing a deal with the league but were overlooked, as were Nine and Stan.

The latter reportedly put in a bid of more than $2.5 billion ($500 million a year over five years), forcing Seven and Fox Sports to trump them.

Seven and Fox Sports have been working together since 2011, spanning four extensions and renegotiated deals.

The seven-year deal has rivalled the last major broadcast deal that was signed in August 2015 for the years 2017 to 2022, worth $2.5 billion. 

Outgoing AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan announced that there will be at least the same number of free-to-air games on Seven as in the previous deal, as well as a Thursday night broadcast in the first 15 rounds.

Seven Managing director James Warburton was ecstatic with the recent deal between the AFL.

“Securing a comprehensive package of digital rights to the AFL for 7plus was our absolute focus,” Warburton said.

“For the first time, fans will be able to access the best AFL games and video content, live and free, in a way that suits them.

“More importantly, this new combination of broadcast and digital means SWM will be ideally positioned to drive and capture a significant share of the growing total television market.

“Together, the AFL and Seven have made the code the number one winter sport across the country and we look forward to working with the AFL Commission to extend the sport’s leadership.”

SEN provided a list of key information confirmed by McLachlan:

  • Channel Seven will broadcast Thursday night, Friday night and Sunday afternoon games, marquee matches, the Brownlow Medal, all AFL finals and the AFL Grand Final on free-to-air television.

  • The first 15 rounds of the home and away season will feature Thursday night matches on Seven.

  • Saturday night matches in the last eight rounds will also be on Seven.

  • All Channel Seven games will be streamed on its 7Plus digital.

  • Foxtel and Kayo will broadcast every AFL and AFLW match and every AFL and AFLW final except the Grand Final.

  • Foxtel and Kayo will broadcast every game with their own commentary lineup.

  • Foxtel and Kayo will broadcast all AFL events, including the AFL draft and awards nights, but not the Brownlow Medal.

  • Foxtel and Kayo will have a ‘Super Saturday’ in the first eight rounds of each AFL season, broadcasting exclusively live every game on that day, with the exception of Anzac Eve, Anzac Day and Dreamtime.

  • 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.

Aidan Cellini

Aidan Cellini Photo

Aidan has surrounded himself with all types of sport, but resonates most with AFL and basketball as he still plays both competitively. He loves being active and enjoys sharing sporting moments with friends and family.

In his spare time, Aidan likes to read biographies as well as keep active and healthy. He's also a big fan of Matthew McConaughey and Marvel movies.