How Many Australian Football Teams Are There? Complete Guide To AFL And Grassroots Clubs
Australia’s native sport boasts a massive footprint across the nation, spanning elite national leagues down to suburban community grounds. As of the 2026 AFL season, there are 18 professional teams competing in the elite men's Australian Football League (AFL) and 18 teams in the AFL Women's (AFLW) competition. Beyond the national spotlight, Australia is home to over 2,500 local community football clubs and major state league teams, creating a total network of thousands of organized Australian rules football sides nationwide.
| Level / Tier | Competition Name | Number of Active Teams | Key Examples & Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elite Men's | AFL | 18 Teams | Collingwood, Geelong, Sydney Swans, West Coast |
| Elite Women's | AFLW | 18 Teams | All 18 AFL national clubs field AFLW sides |
| State Level | VFL, SANFL, WAFL, etc. | ~40 Senior Clubs | Port Melbourne, Norwood, Subiaco, Claremont |
| Grassroots | Regional & Metro Leagues | 2,500+ Senior Clubs | Local suburban, regional, and junior associations |
| Upcoming Expansion | AFL (Target: 2028) | +1 Team (19 Total) | Tasmania Devils joining as the 19th club |
From Suburban Ovals to the MCG: Mapping Australia's Football Pyramid
Understanding the total count of Australian football teams requires looking at the sport’s layered competitive structure. At the foundation, grassroots football powers the code, with more than 2,500 community clubs operating under regional governing bodies in every state and territory. Victoria alone accounts for nearly half of these suburban and country organizations, highlighting the state's deep historical connection to Australian rules football.
Directly beneath the national elite level sit famous state leagues that boast rich, century-old histories of their own:
- Victorian Football League (VFL): Features a hybrid competition model of standalone state-league clubs and AFL reserve teams.
- South Australian National Football League (SANFL): Home to traditional powerhouse clubs like Norwood, Sturt, and Glenelg.
- West Australian Football League (WAFL): Serves as Western Australia's premier state competition featuring heritage clubs like East Perth and Subiaco.
- Northern & Eastern State Leagues: Northern Territory Football League (NTFL), QAFL in Queensland, and AFL Sydney maintain vibrant state-based competitions.
The 18 National AFL Clubs Dominating the 2026 Season
At the pinnacle of the sport sits the AFL, Australia's premier professional sporting competition. The 2026 AFL season features 18 national clubs distributed across five Australian states, driving intense rivalries each week.
Here is the geographic distribution of the 18 elite AFL franchises:
- Victoria (10 teams): Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Geelong Cats, Hawthorn, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Richmond, St Kilda, and Western Bulldogs.
- South Australia (2 teams): Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power.
- Western Australia (2 teams): Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles.
- New South Wales (2 teams): Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants and Sydney Swans.
- Queensland (2 teams): Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns.
Every single one of these 18 elite organizations also operates an aligned AFLW team, ensuring full parity across the elite men's and women's national competitions.
Beyond 2026: Tasmania Devils and Future AFL Expansion Plans
The national AFL footprint is actively preparing for its next major evolution. The AFL Commission has officially granted a 19th license to the Tasmania Devils, who are scheduled to join the national men's and women's competitions in 2028. Venue upgrades and roster planning in Hobart and Launceston are progressing steadily ahead of their inaugural entry.
AFL executives continue to discuss long-term options for a 20th club license to maintain an even, 10-match fixture per round. Contenders for future expansion beyond the late 2020s include a third Western Australian side, a second team in South Australia, or further development in northern markets like Canberra. For the 2026 season, however, the professional footprint remains firmly locked at 18 powerhouse clubs.
