The inaugural AFL Wildcard Round will be played across 28-30 August 2026, during what was traditionally the pre-finals bye weekend. Instead of waiting an extra week for September football to begin, fans will now be treated to two high-stakes knockout matches with everything on the line.

For supporters, it means more meaningful football, more finals-like atmosphere and another opportunity to witness history live.

If you're looking for AFL Wildcard Round tickets, Ticket Merchant has you covered.

What is the AFL Wildcard Round?

The AFL Wildcard Round is a new knockout stage introduced ahead of the traditional finals series.

Rather than limiting finals to the top eight teams, clubs finishing between 7th and 10th on the AFL ladder will battle it out for the final two places in September.

The format rewards teams that finish in the top six while still keeping more clubs alive deep into the home-and-away season.

It creates higher stakes, more meaningful matches and gives fans an extra weekend of finals-quality football.

How does the AFL Wildcard Round work?

The format is simple.

  • 7th place hosts 10th place
  • 8th place hosts 9th place
  • Both matches are sudden-death finals
  • The highest-ranked winning team becomes the 7th seed for the AFL Finals Series
  • The other winner becomes the 8th seed

Once those two positions are determined, the traditional AFL Finals Series begins.

Why did the AFL introduce the Wildcard Round?

The AFL's goal is to increase excitement heading into September while keeping more clubs in finals contention for longer.

The new format aims to:

  • Increase the number of meaningful matches late in the season
  • Reward clubs that finish inside the top six with a valuable week off
  • Create blockbuster knockout games before the traditional finals begin
  • Give fans another weekend of high-quality football

The concept follows similar wildcard systems used successfully in competitions such as the NFL and Major League Baseball.

The Top Six Receive a Huge Advantage

While the Wildcard Round creates extra opportunities for teams finishing seventh to tenth, it also significantly rewards the competition's strongest clubs.

Teams finishing inside the top six avoid the Wildcard Round entirely and receive a bye before the opening week of the AFL Finals.

That extra week could prove invaluable.

Players have additional time to recover from injuries, coaching staff gain another week to prepare and clubs avoid the physical toll of an elimination-style contest.

Can a Wildcard Team Win the Premiership?

One of the biggest talking points surrounding the new format is whether a Wildcard team can make a genuine premiership run.

On paper, those teams face a much tougher road.

They must win an extra sudden-death match before the finals have officially begun and then continue through the traditional finals series.

However, there is another way to look at it.

Rather than coming off a bye, Wildcard winners will enter September full of confidence, match fitness and momentum. Recent history across many sporting competitions has shown that teams entering finals in strong form can often outperform higher-ranked opponents.

Will the extra match become a disadvantage, or will momentum prove to be the ultimate weapon?

The inaugural Wildcard Round will begin answering that question.

Which Teams Could Play in the 2026 AFL Wildcard Round?

With several rounds still remaining, the ladder is far from settled.

Based on the current outlook, clubs most likely to feature include:

Geelong Cats

Adelaide Crows

Melbourne Demons

Western Bulldogs

Collingwood Magpies

St Kilda Saints

Carlton Blues

Carlton remain outside the projected Wildcard positions but are still within striking distance if results fall their way over the closing rounds of the season.

With every ladder position becoming increasingly important, expect plenty of movement before the final standings are confirmed.

Why the Wildcard Round Could Become One of the Biggest Weekends of the AFL Season

Every Wildcard match is effectively an elimination final.

Lose, and your season is over.

Win, and the dream of lifting the premiership cup remains alive.

That pressure is likely to produce incredible crowds, unforgettable moments and an atmosphere unlike anything previously experienced during the pre-finals bye weekend.

For supporters, it's another chance to experience finals football live before September officially begins.

Buy AFL Wildcard Round 2026 Tickets

Be part of AFL history by attending the inaugural Wildcard Round.

Demand is expected to be high as clubs fight to extend their season and fans witness the beginning of a brand-new era in Australian football.

Ticket Merchant offers access to some of Australia's biggest sporting events, including the AFL Finals Series and the inaugural AFL Wildcard Round.

Browse our available AFL Wildcard Round tickets and secure your place for one of the biggest weekends on the 2026 football calendar.

 


Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AFL Wildcard Round?

The AFL Wildcard Round is a new knockout stage introduced in 2026 where teams finishing seventh to tenth compete for the final two positions in the AFL Finals Series.

When is the AFL Wildcard Round?

The inaugural AFL Wildcard Round will be played from 28-30 August 2026, replacing the traditional pre-finals bye weekend.

Which teams play in the AFL Wildcard Round?

The teams that finish 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th on the AFL ladder at the end of the home-and-away season.

How do teams qualify for the AFL Finals through the Wildcard Round?

Two knockout matches are played:

  • 7th vs 10th
  • 8th vs 9th

The two winners progress into the AFL Finals Series as the seventh and eighth seeds.

Why don't the top six teams play?

Teams finishing inside the top six receive a bye and automatically qualify for the main finals series. This rewards clubs that performed best during the regular season.

Can a Wildcard team win the AFL Premiership?

Yes. Once a team progresses through the Wildcard Round, they remain eligible to win the AFL Premiership. They simply need to win one extra knockout match compared to the top six clubs.

Will the Wildcard Round replace the AFL Finals?

No. The Wildcard Round is played before the traditional AFL Finals Series. It simply determines the final two teams that complete the eight-team finals bracket.

Where can I buy AFL Wildcard Round tickets?

Ticket Merchant offers access to AFL Wildcard Round tickets, AFL Finals tickets and Grand Final tickets, subject to availability.