How Many Australian Football Teams Are There? The 2026 Comprehensive League Breakdown

As of August 13, 2026, the landscape of Australian Rules Football continues to be dominated by the 18-club structure of the Australian Football League (AFL). While the competition remains stable at 18 senior men’s teams for the current 2026 season, the sporting ecosystem is in the midst of its most significant transformation in decades. From the grassroots levels to the elite professional tiers, the "footy" footprint spans every state and territory, anchoring the national sporting identity.

The Road to 19: Managing Expansion and Traditional Rivalries

The question of how many Australian football teams are there is currently answered by the "Power 18," but the countdown to change has officially begun. The Tasmania Devils have secured the 19th license, with their entry into the AFL competition slated for 2028. In this 2026 window, the league is focused on infrastructure, with major stadium upgrades in Hobart and Launceston serving as the preamble to the first expansion since the Gold Coast Suns and Greater Western Sydney Giants joined over a decade ago.

The current 18-team AFL hierarchy is split between the traditional Victorian heartland and the powerhouse interstate clubs. Ten teams remain based in Victoria, sparking ongoing debates regarding the "VIC-centric" nature of the schedule. However, the success of the Sydney Swans, Brisbane Lions, Adelaide Crows, and West Coast Eagles continues to prove that the nationalization of the code is the primary driver of the league’s multi-billion dollar broadcast valuations. In the 2026 season, parity has been the defining theme, with the gap between the top eight and the bottom of the ladder at its narrowest point in history.

Broadcast Rights and Stadium Access for the 2026 Season

For fans and analysts tracking team distributions, the utility of this data lies in access. The 2026 season operates under a sophisticated broadcast agreement involving Seven Network, Foxtel, and Kayo Sports. With 18 teams playing 23 games each plus a bye, the logistical complexity of the "Gather Round" in South Australia has become a permanent fixture of the calendar. This "festival of football" sees all 18 teams converge on a single state, providing a unique data point for tourism and engagement metrics.

Navigating the team landscape also requires understanding the AFLW's influence. Since achieving a full 18-team parity with the men's competition, the women’s league has shifted the "football season" to a year-round model. This has doubled the professional team count to 36 elite squads under the AFL umbrella. For the 2026 August window, the AFLW pre-season is currently in full swing, creating a crossover period where the men's Finals Series aspirations and women's season openers dominate the headlines simultaneously.

Scouting the 2027 Horizon and Beyond

Looking ahead to the conclusion of the 2026 season and the start of 2027, the AFL Commission is already evaluating the "Schedule 19" blueprint. The introduction of the 19th team will necessitate a move away from the traditional 23-round format, potentially introducing a "Wildcard Round" or a revamped finals system. These structural shifts are designed to maintain competitive balance while maximizing the commercial footprint in the Apple Isle.

Beyond the AFL, the broader definition of "Australian football" (encompassing Rugby League and Soccer) shows a trend toward growth. The NRL's 17-team structure is under constant pressure to add an 18th franchise to eliminate the weekly bye, while the A-League has expanded its reach to 14 clubs. However, in terms of cultural penetration and membership numbers, the 18 AFL clubs remain the gold standard. As we move toward the 2026 Finals Series, the focus remains on whether a non-Victorian club can break the recent stranglehold on the premiership cup, further validating the national expansion strategy.