AFL Expansion Tracker 2026: Total Team Count And The Road To Tasmania

As of August 13, 2026, there are currently 18 professional teams competing in the Australian Football League (AFL) and the AFL Women’s (AFLW) elite national competitions. While the 18-club structure has remained the professional standard since 2012, the broader ecosystem of Australian Rules Football includes thousands of teams across state-based, regional, and community levels. We are currently in the final stretch of the 2026 Home and Away season, where these 18 clubs are battling for a spot in the upcoming September Finals series.

The National Footprint: From VFL Roots to a True Continental Game

The current 18-team AFL professional structure is the result of decades of expansion, evolving from the original Victorian Football League (VFL). Today, the league's geographic distribution ensures a presence in every mainland state, though the concentration remains highest in the sport’s traditional heartland.

Victoria remains the epicenter of the league with 10 teams: Adelaide-based rivals (2), Perth-based powerhouses (2), Sydney-based contenders (2), and Queensland-based outfits (2) round out the national map. In 2026, the AFLW competition remains perfectly mirrored with the men's league, fielding 18 teams to ensure every professional club provides a pathway for both male and female elite athletes.

The hierarchy of the sport is supported by rigorous state leagues. The VFL currently operates with 21 teams, serving as a critical reserves competition for AFL clubs in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. Meanwhile, the SANFL and WAFL maintain their prestigious 10-team formats, preserving historical rivalries that predate the national expansion.

Where to Watch the 2026 Finals Push and How to Secure Tickets

With the 2026 season reaching its crescendo this August, fan engagement has hit an all-time high. The 18 teams are currently fighting for the "Top 8" positions that guarantee a finals berth. For fans looking to catch the action live, the 2026 broadcast rights deal provides comprehensive coverage across the following platforms:

• Seven Network: Free-to-air coverage of marquee Thursday, Friday, and Sunday matches.
• 7plus: Digital streaming of broadcast matches, offering high-definition access for mobile users.
• Foxtel & Kayo Sports: Every game of every round live with no ad-breaks during play, including dedicated 4K feeds for the 2026 Finals.

Ticket availability for the remaining Round 23 and 24 matches is becoming scarce as clubs like Collingwood, Carlton, and the West Coast Eagles report record membership tallies this year. Fans are encouraged to use the official AFL Ticket Marketplace to avoid predatory secondary markets. For those following the AFLW, the 2026 season is also seeing a surge in "boutique stadium" attendance, highlighting the growing demand for the women's format.

The Road to 19: Tasmania Devils and the Next Era of Expansion

While the count stands at 18 today, the Australian football landscape is on the precipice of its most significant change in nearly two decades. The Tasmania Devils have been officially granted the 19th license, with their entry into the national competition slated for the 2028 season.

Work is currently underway on the state-of-the-art Macquarie Point Stadium in Hobart, which will serve as the home ground for the island state’s first-ever professional AFL team. The introduction of a 19th team has sparked intense debate throughout 2026 regarding the necessity of a 20th team to eliminate the "bye" round.

Potential candidates for a 20th license being discussed by the AFL Commission this August include:

• A third Western Australian team: Capitalizing on the massive football market in Perth and the South West.
• A Canberra-based side: Transitioning the GWS Giants' current presence in the ACT into a standalone capital entity.
• A third Queensland team: Aimed at capturing the rapidly growing population corridor in the Sunshine Coast or Gold Coast hinterland.

For now, the 18 clubs remain the focus as they navigate the final weeks of 2026, but the transition to a 19 or 20-team league is no longer a question of "if," but "when."