The wait is finally over for footy fans in Ireland as the AFL 2026 season officially kicks off with a massive “Opening Round” starting Thursday, March 5, 2026.
Anticipation has reached a fever pitch following an intense pre-season, and the tournament begins with a blockbuster clash between the Sydney Swans and Carlton at the SCG.
This season brings a historic change to the competition. For the first time, the league is debuting a 10-team AFL finals series. This new “Wildcard” structure allows more clubs to stay in the hunt for the premiership.
All the season’s drama leads to one massive event: the 2026 AFL Grand Final on Saturday, September 26. You can watch AFL in Ireland through free and premium services like 7Plus, Kayo Sports, Watch AFL, and TNT Sports.
However, 7Plus and Kayo Sports are unavailable due to geo-restrictions. Therefore, you’ll need a VPN to access them in Ireland.
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When & Where is the AFL 2026 Happening?
- Date: March 5 to September 26, 2026
- Opening Match: Sydney Swans vs. Carlton
- Venue: Multiple venues across Australia
- Total Teams: 18
- Season Length: 23 matches per team over 25 rounds
- Where to Watch: 7 Plus (Free, Australia), Kayo Sports (Australia), Watch AFL (Overseas), and TNT Sports (UK & Ireland)
How to Watch AFL in Ireland for Free
7Plus is a leading Australian free streaming platform and an official broadcaster for AFL 2026, offering every match live throughout the season.Â
Unfortunately, 7Plus is not available in Ireland due to geo-restrictions. To watch the AFL series live, you’ll need to use a reliable VPN to bypass these restrictions.
Here’s how to watch AFL in Ireland for free:
Step 1: Subscribe to a reliable VPN service (Surfshark is the best VPN)
Step 2: Download and install the Surfshark VPN App on your device
Step 3: Open the app and connect to the Australian server.
Step 4: Visit the 7Plus official website and click on the profile icon in the top right corner
Step 5: Click on register to make a new account, or sign in
Step 6: Add your personal information and Australian zip code (0872) to create an account
Step 7: Verify your account via email
Step 8: Click on Sports in the top bar menu and select footy.
Step 9: Select AFL match from live & upcoming section.
Step 10: Enjoy watching when it goes live!
Best Ways to Stream AFL in Ireland
The Australian Football League (AFL) games broadcast live across multiple streaming platforms. Below, I’ve mentioned the top recommended platforms for accessing AFL coverage.
1. Watch AFLÂ
Watch AFL is a subscription-based international service dedicated to Australian Football League games for fans living outside Australia.
It will broadcast of the AFL 2026 Season for overseas fans. You can subscribe to Watch AFL in Ireland for AUD $24/week, AUD $44/month, or AUD $229/year.
2. TNT SPORTS
As the official broadcaster for the AFL 2026 season in the UK and Ireland, TNT Sports offers fans comprehensive coverage of every match from the Toyota AFL Premiership.
You can access TNT Sports on Sky, Virgin Media, EE, or NOW. A subscription to TNT Sports costs €32/mo. via Sky Ireland, and €17/mo. with the NOW TV Sports Extra plan.
Read More: Watch TNT Sports in Ireland
3. Kayo Sports
Kayo Sports is one of Australia’s leading sports streaming services, offering live and on‑demand coverage of major sports events, including the AFL 2026.
With a Kayo Sports subscription, you can watch every AFL match live, catch replays, highlights, and match bite‑sized clips known as Minis or 5-minute Bites. Premium Subscription is currently discounted as $1/month instead of $40/month.
However, the platform is not available in Ireland due to geo-restrictions. To watch the AFL series live on Kayo, you’ll need to use a reliable VPN, like Surfshark, to bypass these restrictions.
Read More:Â Watch Kayo Sports in Ireland
How To Watch AFL in Ireland on Mobile
In Ireland, the official way to stream the AFL is through TNT Sports, the primary series broadcaster for both the UK and Ireland. You can watch TNT Sports with the NOW Sports plan on its official app.
Here’s how you can watch AFL in Ireland on your mobile phone:
Step 1: Download the Now TV app from the Play Store
Step 2: Open the app and click on the sidebar
Step 3: Choose Sports Membership
Step 4: Select your plan and click Claim offer
Step 5: Click Checkout
Step 6: Create your account by clicking Continue to checkout or sign in with your existing one
Step 7: Enter your credentials
Step 8: Choose your payment plan and enter your credentials to subscribe. Enjoy streaming
Schedule of AFL 2026
Here is the AFL 2026 fixture from Week 1 to 3 of 24 converted to Ireland Standard Time (IST):
| Date | Match | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 of 24 | ||
| Thu March 5 | Sydney Swans vs Carlton | 8:30am |
| Fri March 6 | Gold Coast SUNS vs Geelong Cats | 9:05am |
| Sat March 7 | GWS GIANTS vs Hawthorn | 5:15am |
| Sat March 7 | Brisbane Lions vs Western Bulldogs | 8:35am |
| Sun March 8 | St Kilda vs Collingwood | 8:20am |
| Thu March 12 | Carlton vs Richmond | 8:30am |
| Fri March 13 | Essendon vs Hawthorn | 8:40am |
| Sat March 14 | Western Bulldogs vs GWS GIANTS | 2:15am |
| Sat March 14 | Geelong Cats vs Fremantle | 5:15am |
| Sat March 14 | Sydney Swans vs Brisbane Lions | 8:10am |
| Sat March 14 | Collingwood vs Adelaide Crows | 8:35am |
| Sun March 15 | North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide | 2:10am |
| Sun March 15 | Melbourne vs St Kilda | 4:15am |
| Sun March 15 | Gold Coast SUNS vs West Coast Eagles | 7:10am |
| Week 2 of 24 | ||
| Thu March 19 | Hawthorn vs Sydney Swans | 8:30am |
| Fri March 20 | Adelaide Crows vs Western Bulldogs | 8:40am |
| Sat March 21 | Richmond vs Gold Coast SUNS | 2:15am |
| Sat March 21 | GWS GIANTS vs St Kilda | 5:15am |
| Sat March 21 | Fremantle vs Melbourne | 8:35am |
| Sun March 22 | Port Adelaide vs Essendon | 4:15am |
| Sun March 22 | West Coast Eagles vs North Melbourne | 7:10am |
| Week 3 of 24 | ||
| Thu March 26 | Geelong Cats vs Adelaide Crows | 8:30am |
| Fri March 27 | Collingwood vs GWS GIANTS | 8:40am |
| Sat March 28 | St Kilda vs Brisbane Lions | 1:35am |
| Sat March 28 | Fremantle vs Richmond | 5:15am |
| Sat March 28 | Essendon vs North Melbourne | 8:35am |
| Sun March 29 | Port Adelaide vs West Coast Eagles | 1:30am |
| Sun March 29 | Carlton vs Melbourne | 4:15am |
Prominent Irish Players in the AFL 2026 Season
The “Irish Experiment” is stronger than ever in 2026. These athletes have successfully transitioned from Gaelic football to Australian Rules, becoming key contributors to their respective AFL clubs.
| Player | AFL Club | County / GAA Club |
|---|---|---|
| Conor Nash | Hawthorn Hawks | Meath / Simonstown Gaels |
| Mark Keane | Adelaide Crows | Cork / Mitchelstown |
| Callum Brown | GWS Giants | Derry / Limavady Wolfhounds |
| OisÃn Mullin | Geelong Cats | Mayo / Kilmaine |
| Mark O'Connor | Geelong Cats | Kerry / Dingle |
| Conor McKenna | Brisbane Lions | Tyrone / Eglish |
| Liam O'Connell | St Kilda Saints | Cork / Ballincollig |
Other Sports to Watch in Ireland
You can also watch the following sports in Ireland:
- Watch MLB live in Ireland
- Watch MLS in Ireland
- Watch the FIFA Club World Cup in Ireland
- Watch the NBA in Ireland
- Watch NHL in Ireland
FAQ – AFL 2026
1. When does the AFL 2026 season start?
The AFL 2026 season officially began on Thursday, March 5, 2026, with the “Opening Round” match between the Sydney Swans and Carlton at the SCG. The traditional Round 1 begins the following week, on March 12, at the MCG.
2. How can I watch AFL live in Ireland?
You can watch every match live on TNT Sports via Sky or Now TV.
3. What is the new AFL 10-team finals format?
In 2026, the AFL expanded its finals series from eight to ten teams. Under this new “Wildcard” system, teams finishing 7th through 10th compete in a sudden-death playoff round. The winners of these two matches then join the top six teams to complete the traditional finals bracket.
4. When is the 2026 AFL Grand Final?
The 2026 AFL Grand Final is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026.
5. Who won the 2025 AFL Grand Final?
The Brisbane Lions are the reigning premiers after defeating the Geelong Cats in the 2025 AFL Grand Final.
Conclusion
The AFL 2026 season kicks off on March 5 and will run through September 26, 2026. Season promises another exciting chapter in Australian football, with 18 teams battling it out.
You can watch AFL in Ireland via free & premium services like 7Plus, Watch AFL, Kayo Sports, and TNT Sports.
However, I recommend using Surfshark to unblocks the geo-restricted services, like 7Plus and Kayo Sports.
