For the first time in AFL history, the road to the premiership will include a Wildcard Round.
Taking inspiration from the NFL and other major sporting competitions around the world, the AFL has expanded the finals race, giving more clubs the chance to fight for September glory. The inaugural AFL Wildcard Round will be played across 28 to 30 August 2026, with four teams battling for the final two places in the AFL Finals Series.
For fans, it means another weekend of high-stakes football. For clubs, it presents one last opportunity to keep their premiership dream alive.
If the current ladder is anything to go by, the opening Wildcard Round is shaping up to be one of the most exciting weekends of the season.
How Does the AFL Wildcard Round Work?
The format is straightforward:
7th hosts 10th
8th hosts 9th
The higher-ranked winning team becomes the No. 7 seed
The other winner becomes the No. 8 seed
Teams finishing inside the top six receive a bye before the first full week of the AFL Finals.
It adds another layer of intrigue to the final month of the home and away season. Every ladder position matters, and finishing seventh could provide a valuable home ground advantage.
Collingwood Could Be the Team Nobody Wants to Face
One club that looms as a genuine Wildcard contender is Collingwood.
While the Magpies haven't enjoyed the consistency that saw them become one of the competition's benchmark teams in recent years, they remain one of the most dangerous sides in the league when finals football arrives.
Their Round 21 loss to Geelong may ultimately prove costly in the race for a top-six finish, potentially forcing Craig McRae's side into the inaugural Wildcard Round.
If that happens, opponents won't be celebrating.
Collingwood's recent September record speaks for itself. They have built a reputation for winning close games, thriving under pressure and producing their best football when the stakes are highest. Finals experience is difficult to replace, and few clubs possess as much of it as the Magpies.
With stars capable of changing a match in a matter of minutes and a fan base that travels in huge numbers, any Wildcard clash involving Collingwood would instantly become one of the hottest tickets of the year.
Which Teams Are in the Mix?
While the ladder can still change significantly over the closing rounds, several clubs appear well placed to feature in the inaugural Wildcard Round.
The teams currently in the conversation include:
Carlton still has work to do and will likely need results elsewhere to fall their way, but the Blues remain within striking distance.
The beauty of the Wildcard format is that momentum may become just as important as ladder position. A club entering September on a winning streak could carry enormous confidence into the finals, while a side coming off a week off may take time to find its rhythm.
History Shows Anything Can Happen
Although the Wildcard Round is brand new, we've already seen that teams outside the traditional finals positions can make an impact.
In 2013, Essendon was excluded from the AFL Finals Series following the supplements saga, allowing Carlton, who had originally finished ninth, to take their place.
The Blues seized the opportunity, defeating Richmond in the Elimination Final before their finals campaign came to an end the following week.
That remains one of the most memorable examples of a club making the most of an unexpected September opportunity.
The Wildcard Round now creates that possibility every single season.
Could a Wildcard Team Win the Premiership?
That's the question every football fan is asking.
Traditionally, earning a week off has been viewed as a significant advantage. However, there is another school of thought.
Teams coming through the Wildcard Round will already have experienced finals-like pressure. They'll arrive in Week One battle-hardened, match fit and carrying momentum.
History across other sporting competitions has shown that teams entering the playoffs with confidence can often outperform higher-seeded opponents.
Could the first AFL Wildcard winner ride that wave all the way to the Grand Final?
We'll soon find out.
Experience the First AFL Wildcard Round Live
History will be made when the AFL launches its inaugural Wildcard Round in 2026.
With passionate fan bases, fierce rivalries and the pressure of sudden-death football, demand for tickets is expected to be extremely high, particularly if clubs like Collingwood feature.
If you want to witness the beginning of a new era in AFL finals football, don't leave it until the last minute.
Browse AFL Wildcard Round tickets with Ticketverse and experience every moment of the action live.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AFL Wildcard Round?
The AFL Wildcard Round is a new finals play-in stage introduced in 2026. Teams finishing seventh to tenth compete for the final two places in the AFL Finals Series.
When is the AFL Wildcard Round?
The inaugural AFL Wildcard Round will be played from 28 to 30 August 2026.
Which teams play in the Wildcard Round?
The team finishing seventh hosts tenth, while eighth hosts ninth.
What do the winners receive?
The two winning clubs progress to the AFL Finals Series as the seventh and eighth seeds.
Do the top six teams play?
No. Clubs finishing in the top six receive a bye before the first full week of the AFL Finals.
Could Collingwood play in the Wildcard Round?
Based on the current ladder projections, Collingwood is among the clubs that could feature. Their finals experience would make them one of the most dangerous teams in the competition if they enter the Wildcard Round.
Where can I buy AFL Wildcard Round tickets?
You can secure AFL Wildcard Round tickets through Ticketverse and experience the inaugural Wildcard Round live.