AFL Grand Final Betting Guide 2026
The Australian Football League (AFL) is comprised of 18 teams, but for the 2026 season, the road to the premiership has changed significantly. The season reaches its ultimate conclusion on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). While the league was founded in 1897 with 8 teams from Victoria, it is now a truly national competition with representation from 6 Australian states and Tasmania soon to follow.
In a historic move for the 2026 season, the AFL has introduced a Wildcard Finals Round. This expands the finals series to a 10-team format. Following the 23-week regular season, teams finishing 7th to 10th will compete in “play-in” matches (7th v 10th and 8th v 9th) during the week previously reserved for the pre-finals bye. The winners then progress to join the top six in the traditional final eight series. The last two teams standing will face each other in the Grand Final to decide the winner of the AFL Premiership Cup, the Premiership Flag, and individual gold Premiership Medals.
2026 Premiership Favourites & Odds
As we enter 2026, all eyes are on the Brisbane Lions. After defeating the Geelong Cats by 47 points in the 2025 Grand Final, the Lions are chasing a historic “three-peat”—a feat they last achieved in 2001-2003. New Zealand bettors should look for value early, as odds fluctuate based on the new finals structure.
| Team | Early Win Odds | 2025 Final Result |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane Lions | $5.00 | Premiers (Won by 47pts) |
| Geelong Cats | $8.00 | Runners-up |
| Hawthorn | $8.00 | Preliminary Finalists |
| Gold Coast Suns | $10.00 | Semi-Finalists (1st Finals Win) |
| Sydney Swans | $10.00 | Elimination Finalists |
AFL Grand Final Betting Opportunities
The AFL Grand Final provides unique betting options that are separate from the regular season. Punters in New Zealand can explore markets for individual accolades and specific match outcomes:
- Norm Smith Medal: Awarded to the best player on the ground during the Grand Final. Brisbane’s Will Ashcroft made history in 2025 by winning the medal for the second consecutive year.
- Jock McHale Medal: Given to the coach of the winning premiership team.
- Head-to-Head: The simplest form of betting where you pick the outright winner of the Grand Final.
- Line Betting: A popular option involving a points handicap. For example, in 2025, Geelong were the pre-match favorites but lost comfortably, highlighting the risks of betting against momentum.
- Brownlow Medal: Awarded on the Monday of Grand Final week to the league’s fairest and best player. Gold Coast’s Matt Rowell claimed the honor in 2025 with 39 votes.
AFL Grand Final FAQs
When is the 2026 AFL Grand Final?
How many teams play in the AFL finals now?
Who won the 2025 AFL Premiership?
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