Channel 7 is set to cease its coverage of the VFL, ending their decade-long broadcasting rights of the league.
The decision leaves Victoria's state league, which also includes the reserve-grade sides for Brisbane, Gold Coast, GWS and Sydney, without free-to-air television coverage for the first time in over 50 years.
The VFL had been showcased on Channel 7 since 2015, and in 2025, was given the Saturday night 7pm slot in Channel 7's bid to maintain their weekend-long coverage of Aussie Rules football after Fox Footy gained exclusive rights to all Saturday AFL fixtures in Victoria.
Entering 2026, Channel 7 held concerns over the cost of streaming the games, which ultimately returned modest ratings, and eventually decided that continuing their coverage was not commercially viable after holding discussions with the AFL over the summer.
VFL spokesman Sam Zito confirmed the pending changes to the league's coverage but assured that fans can still watch their favourite state-league sides for free, either on AFL.com.au or the VFL app - an option that has been available since 2022.
"Broadcast arrangements for season 2026 are currently not finalised and will be announced ahead of the season," VFL spokesman Sam Zito said on Tuesday.
"However, we can confirm all VFL and VFLW matches will again be broadcast live and free via AFL channels."
