How Many Australian Football Teams Are There? 2026 Guide To The AFL And Beyond

As of August 13, 2026, the landscape of Australian Rules Football (AFL) remains anchored by its 18 professional clubs, a structure that has defined the elite tier of the sport since the Gold Coast Suns and Greater Western Sydney Giants joined the competition. While the professional summit consists of these 18 top-flight teams, the total number of clubs across the broader Australian football ecosystem is vast, spanning state leagues, regional divisions, and grassroots community organizations.

Professional Governance and the Structure of the 18

The AFL is a closed-league system, meaning there is no promotion or relegation between the elite 18 teams and the secondary state-based competitions. These 18 clubs are spread across the country: 10 are based in Victoria, while the remaining eight—Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast, Fremantle, West Coast, Sydney, and GWS—represent the interstate push to make the game a truly national product.

Each of these clubs operates its own internal pipeline, frequently utilizing the VFL, SANFL, and WAFL as developmental grounds for players on their secondary lists. While rumors of a 19th or 20th team, specifically targeting Tasmania, have dominated sports media for years, the 2026 season remains committed to the established 18-team rotation. The focus for these organizations heading into the latter half of 2026 is squarely on the upcoming finals series and the finalization of the trade period strategies.

Navigating the Pyramid: Access, Membership, and Broadcast

For fans looking to engage with Australian football beyond the elite 18, the access points are significant. Every one of the 18 AFL clubs maintains a massive membership base, with total league memberships hitting record highs throughout 2026. Fans can access games via the official AFL broadcast partners, which cover all 18 clubs' matches throughout the home-and-away season and the post-season finals series.

If you are looking to support teams outside the top 18, the state leagues—such as the VFL (Victorian Football League), SANFL (South Australian National Football League), and WAFL (West Australian Football League)—offer high-intensity football that serves as the lifeblood of the sport. These competitions are vital for fans who prefer the localized, tribal nature of regional clubs. Ticket accessibility for these semi-professional matches is significantly more affordable, and they are often broadcast via local streaming platforms or the AFL’s dedicated digital portal, ensuring that the connection between the grassroots and the elite remains seamless.

Expansion Realities and Future League Outlook

Speculation regarding the total number of professional Australian football teams continues to evolve as the league considers long-term growth. The primary focus for the AFL commission remains the integration of a potential Tasmania-based license, which would effectively shift the league to 19 teams. However, as of August 2026, no official expansion has been activated for the immediate future.

The league is currently prioritizing financial stability and the development of the AFLW, which has achieved parity with the men’s competition in terms of team composition (18 teams mirroring the men's structure). For the remainder of 2026, the focus for club officials and league executives is on infrastructure projects and the expansion of the talent pathways. Whether the number grows to 19 or beyond in the coming years will depend on long-term sustainability metrics and the league's ability to maintain the commercial viability of the existing 18-club model. Supporters should monitor official league announcements during the late-season general meetings for any shifts in team count for the 2027 season and beyond.