The AFL has confirmed that seven matches throughout this year's final series will be broadcast live and free on the Seven Network via Channel 7 and 7plus, including the 2023 VFL Grand Final. Viewers outside of Victoria can tune in to Seven's VFL coverage via 7plus.
All finals, including the 2023 VFL Grand Final, will be streamed live and free on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.
The Wildcard Round concept will feature two matches; The team that finishes the home-and-away season in seventh position on the ladder will play the team that finishes 10th, while the eighth-placed side will take on the ninth-placed team.
The highest-ranked winner in Wildcard Round will advance to the second elimination final as the seventh-placed team, with the lowest-ranked winner in Wildcard Round to progress to the first elimination final as the eighth-placed team.
During the weekend of the Wildcard Round, the teams that occupy the first six positions on the ladder at the conclusion of the home-and-away season will have a bye and will advance directly through to either a qualifying final or elimination final.
2023 VFL Finals Series Structure
Wildcard Round
Saturday, August 26 and/or Sunday, August 27
Wildcard Game One: 7th vs 10th
Wildcard Game Two: 8th vs 9th
Qualifying and Elimination Finals
Saturday, September 2 and/or Sunday, September 3
First Qualifying Final: 1st vs 4th
Second Qualifying Final: 2nd vs 3rd
First Elimination Final: 5th vs Lowest-ranked Wildcard Round winner (becomes 8th)
Second Elimination Final: 6th vs Highest-ranked Wildcard Round winner (becomes 7th)
Semi Finals
Saturday, September 9 and/or Sunday, September 10
First Semi Final: Loser of First Qualifying Final vs Winner of First Elimination Final
Second Semi Final: Loser of Second Qualifying Final vs Winner of Second Elimination Final
Preliminary Finals
Saturday, September 16
First Preliminary Final: Winner of First Qualifying Final vs Winner of Second Semi Final
Second Preliminary Final: Winner of Second Qualifying Final vs Winner of First Semi Final
Grand Final
Sunday, September 24
Grand Final: Winner of First Preliminary Final vs Winner of Second Preliminary Final