A gap between the AFL National Draft and Rookie Draft has headlined the key dates for the 2026 season which will cause a host of prospects to sweat through the weekend if they miss out on selection in the main intake.
Round One of the draft will be held on Thursday, November 19 at 7.00pm AEDT followed by the remaining rounds of the Draft on Friday, November 20, at 7.00pm AEDT
The following Monday (November 23) will host the Rookie Draft.
All 18 clubs were informed on when the trade, draft and free agency periods will take place.
It comes ahead of next week's Mid-Season Draft, which will take place on Tuesday, May 26 at 6:30pm (AEST).
The Free Agency window commences on Friday, October 2 at 9.00am AEST and will run until Friday, October 9, 5.00pm AEDT.
The Trade Period will commence on Monday, October 5 at 9.00am AEDT and will run until Wednesday, October 14 at 7.30pm AEDT.
AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period runs from Monday, November 2 at 9.00am AEDT to Friday, November 6 at 5.00pm AEDT.
AFL Rookie Draft, Monday, 23 November, at 3.00pm AEDT.
AFL 2026 Key Dates
AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft - Tuesday May 26
2026 AFL Free Agency Period - Friday, October 2 - Friday, October 9
2026 AFL Trade Period - Monday, October 5 - Wednesday, October 14
2026 Delisted Free Agency Period - Monday, November 2 - Friday, November 6
2026 AFL National Draft - Thursday, November 19 - Friday, November 20
2026 Rookie Draft - Monday, November 23
