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.Ā 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 platformĀ and anĀ official broadcaster for AFL 2026,Ā offering every match live throughout the season.Ā
Unfortunately, 7Plus isĀ not available in Ireland due to geo-restrictions. To watch the AFL series live, youāll need to use a reliable VPNĀ 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 AppĀ on your device
Step 3: Open the app and connect to the Australian server.
Step 4:Ā Visit theĀ 7PlusĀ official website and click on theĀ profile icon in the top right corner
Step 5:Ā Click onĀ registerĀ to make a new account, orĀ sign in
Step 6:Ā Add yourĀ personal informationĀ andĀ Australian zip code (0872)Ā to create an account
Step 7:Ā Verify your account viaĀ 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 AFLĀ
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,Ā AUD $44/month, orĀ AUD $229/year.
2. TNT SPORTS
As the official broadcaster for the AFL 2026 season in the UK and Ireland, TNT SportsĀ offers fans comprehensive coverage of every match from the Toyota AFL Premiership.
You can access TNT Sports on Sky, Virgin Media, EE, or NOW.Ā A subscription toĀ TNT SportsĀ costsĀ ā¬32/mo. viaĀ Sky Ireland, and ā¬17/mo.Ā with theĀ NOW TV Sports Extra plan.
Read More: Watch TNT Sports in Ireland
3. Kayo Sports
Kayo SportsĀ is one of Australiaās leading sports streaming services, offeringĀ live and onādemand coverage of major sports events, including the AFL 2026.
With aĀ Kayo Sports subscription, you can watch every AFL match live, catch replays, highlights, and match biteāsized clipsĀ known as Minis or 5-minute Bites. Premium Subscription is currentlyĀ discounted as $1/monthĀ instead of $40/month.
However, the platform isĀ not available inĀ Ireland due to geo-restrictions. To watch the AFL series live on Kayo, youāll need to use a reliable VPN,Ā like Surfshark,Ā toĀ bypass these restrictions.
Read More:Ā Watch Kayo Sports in Ireland
How To Watch AFL in Ireland on Mobile
In Ireland, theĀ official way to stream the AFL is through TNT Sports, the primary series broadcaster for both theĀ UKĀ andĀ Ireland.Ā You can watchĀ TNTĀ Sports with theĀ NOWĀ Sports planĀ on its official app.
Hereās how you can watch AFL in Ireland on your mobile phone:
Step 1:Ā Download theĀ Now TV appĀ from theĀ Play Store
Step 2:Ā Open the app and click on theĀ sidebar
Step 3:Ā ChooseĀ Sports Membership
Step 4:Ā Select your plan and clickĀ Claim offer
Step 5:Ā ClickĀ Checkout
Step 6:Ā Create your account by clickingĀ Continue to checkoutĀ or sign in with your existing one
Step 7:Ā Enter yourĀ credentials
Step 8:Ā Choose your payment plan and enter yourĀ credentialsĀ to subscribe. Enjoy streaming
Schedule of AFL 2026
Here is the AFL 2026 fixture from Week 15Ā of 24 converted to Irish Standard Time (IST):
| Date | Match | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| Week 15 of 24 | ||
| Thu, June 18 | Fremantle vs. Geelong Cats | 11:10 AM |
| Fri, June 19 | Gold Coast SUNS vs. Hawthorn | 10:40 AM |
| Sat, June 20 | Adelaide Crows vs. Melbourne | 4:15 AM |
| Sat, June 20 | GWS GIANTS vs. Carlton | 7:15 AM |
| Sat, June 20 | Collingwood vs. Port Adelaide | 10:35 AM |
| Sun, June 21 | Richmond vs. North Melbourne | 4:10 AM |
| Sun, June 21 | St Kilda vs. Western Bulldogs | 6:15 AM |
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 |
| OisĆn 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.
