The Australian Football League will introduce a Wildcard Weekend in 2026, expanding the finals to include the top 10 teams.
Seventh-placed teams will host 10th, and eighth will face ninth in elimination games on the former pre-finals bye weekend, with winners advancing to join the top six in the final eight bracket.
Top seeds gain byes and double chances, addressing issues like the 2025 season where nine teams were eliminated six rounds early, to heighten late-season competition.
Why do we need this anyway the fans have told The AFL we don’t want this crP
And we don’t want opening and round and to stop changing the rules.
The afl has responded by doing things directly against the fans feedback.
Clubs have been informed the AFL is introducing Wildcard Weekend for 2026.
7th v 10th
8th v 9th
To be played on the weekend of the current pre-finals bye.
Essentially the finals is expanding to a 10-team structure
I believe it waters down the reason for the finals making it an award for not being the best.