The Australian Football League (AFL) is a thrilling sport with a global fanbase. Whether you’re an expat, a traveler, or an international fan, here’s a comprehensive guide on how to watch AFL matches live and access scores from various countries, including channel names and streaming services. Below is a breakdown of options by country, based on official broadcasters and streaming platforms for the 2025 season.
Streaming AFL Globally
For fans outside Australia, WatchAFL (watchafl.com.au) is the official international streaming service, offering live streams and on-demand replays of every AFL match, including the Finals and Grand Final, plus the 24/7 FOX FOOTY channel. It’s subscription-based with weekly ($20 AUD), monthly ($39 AUD), or annual ($181 AUD) plans. The service is available on compatible devices like mobiles, tablets, computers, and TVs via Chromecast, Airplay, or the Apple TV app. Note: WatchAFL is not available in Australia due to domestic broadcast restrictions.
Accessing Live Scores
- AFL Official Website and App: Provides real-time scores, match stats, and highlights for all AFL games. Available globally with no geographic restrictions.
- ESPN: Offers live scores and updates via its website and app, particularly useful in North America.
- FlashScore: A global sports app with live AFL scores and detailed match statistics.
- Social Media: Follow AFL’s official accounts on platforms like X for live score updates and match commentary.
AFL Broadcast and Streaming by Country
Below is a list of known broadcasters and streaming services for AFL in various countries for the 2025 season. Note that availability may vary by region, and some channels require subscriptions or cable packages. Always check the latest schedules on official broadcaster websites or the AFL’s international broadcast guide (afl.com.au).
Australia
- Channels:
- Streaming:
- 7plus: Free streaming of Channel 7/7mate games with an account (requires Australian postcode).
- Kayo Sports: Streams all matches live and on-demand, with plans starting at $25 AUD/month (Standard) or $40 AUD/month (Premium, 4K). Offers a 7-day free trial.
- Foxtel Now: Streams all matches via Fox Footy, with a 10-day free trial. Sports bundle costs ~$103 AUD/month.
- Scores: AFL app, Kayo Sports, 7plus, or FlashScore.
United States
- Channels:
- Fox Soccer Plus (FSP): Primary AFL channel, airs most matches live or tape-delayed, with all AFLW matches. Requires cable/satellite or streaming subscription ($5.99–$14.99/month).
- Fox Sports 1 (FS1): Airs select games, including the Grand Final live. Available on cable or streaming services.
- Fox Sports 2 (FS2): Airs additional games live or tape-delayed. Available via cable or streaming.
- Streaming:
- Scores: ESPN app, AFL app, or FlashScore.
Canada
- Channels:
- Streaming:
- Scores: TSN app, AFL app, or FlashScore.
United Kingdom
- Channels:
- Streaming:
- Scores: AFL app, FlashScore, or TNT Sports app.
New Zealand
- Channels:
- Streaming:
- Scores: Sky Sport app, AFL app, or FlashScore.
Asia and Pacific Region (Selected Countries)
- Channels:
- Streaming:
- Scores: AFL app or FlashScore.
Other Regions
- Europe: Limited coverage; check AFL Europe (afleurope.org) for local leagues and streaming via WatchAFL.
- Latin America: No confirmed coverage for 2025 (Star+ discontinued). Check WatchAFL or contact AFL for updates.
- Africa, Middle East: Limited coverage; WatchAFL is the primary option.
Tips for Watching AFL
- VPN Usage: For fans traveling or living abroad, a VPN (e.g., ExpressVPN, NordVPN) can unblock Australian services like 7plus or Kayo Sports by connecting to an Australian server. Be aware of copyright and terms of service compliance.
- Hide Scores Feature: WatchAFL’s “hide scores” option lets you watch on-demand without spoilers.
- Offline Viewing: WatchAFL allows downloading matches for offline viewing, ideal for travel.
- Free Trials: Services like YouTube TV, FuboTV, Kayo Sports, and Foxtel Now offer free trials for new users.
- Club International Memberships: Many AFL clubs offer international memberships (~$155 AUD/year) that include WatchAFL access and club benefits.
Notes
- Geographic Restrictions: Domestic Australian services (7plus, Kayo, Foxtel) are region-locked. WatchAFL is unavailable in Australia but accessible in most other countries.
- Schedule Updates: Check afl.com.au or broadcaster websites (e.g., afana.com for North America) for the latest TV schedules.
- AFLW (Women’s League): Covered by the same broadcasters/streamers as the men’s league (e.g., FSP, WatchAFL).
