Kayo Sports launches biggest AFL season over – Kayo SPORTS today launched its 2026 AFL season, bringing fans the most comprehensive coverage across the week with every team, every round live and in 4K.
Overlooking the iconic sporting landscape of Melbourne from The Cleo rooftop, AFL stars and Kayo SPORTS ambassadors Nick Daicos, Will Ashcroft and Patrick Cripps joined Fox Footy’s world class commentary line-up including Jason Dunstall, Garry Lyon, Sarah Jones, Tom Hawkins, Ken Hinkley, Jordan Lewis, Gerard Whateley, Jonathan Brown, David King, Ruby Schleicher, Eddie Betts, Anthony Hudson and more, along with AFL executives, media and key partners, to launch the season on Kayo SPORTS.
Following a record-breaking 2025 season that saw audiences on Kayo SPORTS grow by 19% year-on-year, 2026 is set to be the biggest AFL season in history, with the inclusion of the Wildcard Round, and rivalries ignited with some of the game’s biggest names finding new homes.
Foxtel Group CEO, Patrick Delany, said:
“We are incredibly proud of the way we have continually innovated coverage of AFL, offering fans every game, every round live with week-long entertainment. But what we are most proud of is the annual $1 billion we invest in Australian sports rights and production, making the Foxtel Group the nation’s largest individual non-Government funder of sport.
“For us it goes beyond the screen. It’s about the partnerships and our nearly 25 year-long commitment with AFL has not only taken football to more viewers but our investment flows through the entire AFL eco-system – from the grassroots right through to the elite. Those funds help develop crucial pathways from the suburban and country grounds to the MCG, enhance facilities and ultimately fuel participation which saw the AFL achieve a new record of 628,000 in 2025.
“We support the AFL and Andrew Dillon and his team in always looking at how we can bring new initiatives to life for the fans whether it is AFL Origin, Wildcard Round or continuing to support growth at all levels.”
Fox Sports Managing Director, Steve Crawley said:
“Last year was massive for the Fox Footy team. We didn’t just lift our coverage – we went all in. We called every game across the round, welcomed great new voices like Matt Hill and Tom Hawkins, and gave the on-air look a fresh new feel. And the fans showed up in record numbers.
“We’re up and about and ready to go again. If 2025 was big, 2026 is shaping as our biggest yet – and we’ve got the team to bring every moment of the action live to fans right around the country.”
Fox Footy’s commentary team, featuring an unmatched lineup of expert commentators and legends of the game, will bring every game of every round to life. Fans will hear from the best in the business, including Jonathan Brown, Garry Lyon, Sarah Jones, Gerard Whateley, Nathan Buckley, Adam Simpson, Matt Hill, Shaun Burgoyne, Ruby Schleicher, Anthony Hudson, Eddie Betts, Kath Loughnan, Alastair Lynch, David King, Mark Ricciuto, Cameron Mooney, Leigh Montagna, Jason Dunstall, Mark Howard, Gerard Healy, Kelli Underwood, Jack Riewoldt, Will Schofield, Nick Dal Santo, Dwayne Russell, Jordan Lewis, Jess Webster, Corbin Middlemas, Adam Papalia, Brad Johnson and Ben Dixon.
In an exciting development for 2026, Fox Footy welcomes former Port Adelaide head coach Ken Hinkley to the fold.
Hinkley will be a key part of the Adelaide-based commentary team, alongside Ricciuto and Burgoyne, bringing his extensive coaching expertise and unique perspective to the coverage.
Further bolstering the commentary lineup, three-time premiership player Tom Hawkins will be ramping up his involvement on Friday Night Footy, offering fresh insights into the week’s biggest clashes.
Throughout the week, Fox Footy will continue to deliver a comprehensive schedule of analysis shows, ensuring fans are across every angle of the game. From in-depth tactical breakdowns to lively debates and exclusive interviews, Fox Footy remains the go-to source for all things AFL.
FOX FOOTY 2026 LINE-UP
AFL Tonight: Monday – Friday, 6pm
Hosted by Ruby Schleicher, Drew Jones and David Zita
The daily AFL news program featuring AFL reporters outlining all the latest news you need to know from around the league.
AFL360: Monday – Wednesday, 6.30pm
Hosted by Gerard Whateley and Garry Lyon
AFL360 sets the agenda by looking at every angle of the day’s major issues in footy, three nights a week, Gerard Whateley and Garry Lyon will be joined by an unparalleled team of regular guests.
On The Couch: Monday, 7.30pm
Hosted by Jack Riewoldt with Jonathan Brown, Nathan Buckley, Jordan Lewis and Leigh Matthews
Jack Riewoldt is joined by Jonathan Brown, Nathan Buckley, Jordan Lewis and Leigh Matthews for the hugely popular On The Couch, where the expert team will weigh up the biggest issues surrounding the AFL.
Midweek Tackle: Tuesday, 7.30pm
Hosted by Lauren Wood and regular guests Jon Ralph, Scott Gullan, Josh Barnes, Glenn McFarlane and Corbin Middlemas
A panel of some of the best footy journalists in the business, dissecting the big news items from the week.
First Crack Preview: Wednesday, 7.30pm
Hosted by Ben Dixon, David King, Daniel Hoyne and Leigh Montagna
The Fox Footy expert panel will analyse the round ahead.
Thursday Night Footy: Thursday, 6.30pm
Hosted by Sarah Jones with Jason Dunstall, David King and Leigh Montagna
Commentary: Mark Howard, Matt Hill, Jack Riewoldt and others
Fox Footy’s team of expert commentators and talent bring you all the action live from the ground every Thursday night.
Friday Night Footy: Friday, 6.30pm
Hosted by Garry Lyon with Jonathan Brown, Tom Hawkins and Jordan Lewis
Commentary: Anthony Hudson, Gerard Whateley, Jason Dunstall, Garry Lyon and others
Fox Footy’s team of expert commentators and talent bring you all the action live from the ground every Friday night.
Super Saturday Live: Saturday, from 12.30pm
Fox Footy, available on Kayo SPORTS, will be the ONLY place to watch AFL exclusively live on Saturday’s nationally for at least the first 10 rounds of the home and away season* (except ANZAC game between Essendon and Collingwood)
Sunday Ticket: Sunday, from 12.30pm
Fox Footy’s team of expert commentators and talent bring you all the action live from around the grounds every Sunday.
Bounce: Sunday, after the footy
Hosted by Jason Dunstall with Andrew Gaze, Cam Mooney, Ruby Schleicher, Ben Dixon and Bernie Vince
Bounce is an entertaining, lighter look at a big week in footy. If you want some fun to finish off a big weekend of AFL action, Bounce is the show for you.
First Crack: Sunday, after Bounce
Hosted by Jay Clark, David King and Leigh Montagna
The Fox Footy expert panel will offer fans their first fix on all games and stories from the week that was.
Fox Footy’s 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season will kick off on Monday, March 2 with AFL360, followed by coverage of the Opening Round beginning on Thursday, March 5.
The only place to witness every moment, every team, every game, live, ad-break free during play, and in 4K, is on Fox Footy, available on Kayo SPORTS and Foxtel.
Media Release – Kayo
Link to Kayo Sports HERE
TV Central Kayo content HERE
Kayo Sports launches biggest AFL season over
