AFL
6 hours ago
"More than iconic": Legends Game confirmed for 2026
By SEN
One of Australian football’s most iconic charity events will return in 2026, with the Four’N Twenty Legends Game for Prostate Cancer confirmed to be returning and to be played on Thursday night, August 27, at Marvel Stadium.
The match will again form a key part of the AFL calendar, taking place in the lead‑up to the league’s new Wildcard Round, and will be broadcast live nationally on Seven and 7plus Sport, raising awareness for prostate cancer and vital funds to support patient care and research at the Australian Prostate Centre.
Following a hugely successful return in 2025 after a six‑year hiatus, the Legends Game will once again bring together the football community for a night that celebrates the game’s past while supporting an important cause that continues to affect thousands of Australian families each year.
The 2025 edition of the Legends Game drew more than 30,000 fans to Marvel Stadium, raised over $1 million for the Australian Prostate Centre, and delivered one of the highest‑rating AFL broadcasts of the season, reaffirming the enduring power of the event and its place on the football calendar.
Gary Ablett Jnr and Cyril Rioli spearheaded the 2025 edition of the match with Shane Crawford coaching the All Stars and Nick Riewoldt their captain.
The Vics were coached by Tim Watson and captained by Luke Hodge.
The 2026 match will continue to honour the legacy of E.J. Whitten Sr, whose courage and advocacy helped bring national attention to prostate cancer, while ensuring the event remains contemporary, inclusive and impactful.
Details around players, coaches and ambassadors involved in the game, when tickets will go on sale and how all Australian’s can contribute to help fund research and patient care for a cancer that affects one in five Australian men will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
Sports Entertainment Group (SEG) Chief Executive, Craig Hutchison, said the decision to bring the Legends Game back again in 2026 was driven by the overwhelming support shown by fans, players and commercial partners for the game and the cause it supports in 2025.
“The response to the return of the Four’N Twenty Legends Game for Prostate Cancer last year was extraordinary - from the crowd at Marvel Stadium to the millions watching around the country, and most importantly, the funds raised for the Australian Prostate Centre,” Hutchison said.
“We’re proud to confirm that the Four’N Twenty Legends Game for Prostate Cancer will be back in 2026, once again using football’s unique power to bring people together for a cause that matters. August 27 again promises to be another special night.”
Mark Harrison, CEO of the Australian Prostate Centre, said the event is an important opportunity to raise awareness and vital funding for Australia’s leading cause of cancer diagnosis in men.
“One in five Aussie men are estimated to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. These are our grandads, fathers, uncles, husbands, brothers and mates – the legends in our lives.
“The Legends Game is more than an iconic sporting event – it’s a rally cry for the community to stand beside the men we love. Every ticket purchased, every dollar donated helps fund life-changing research and patient care at the Australian Prostate Centre.”
Anand Surujpal, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer at Patties Food Group - Four’N Twenty’s parent company - said his organisation was thrilled to once again be involved in such an iconic, community event, supporting a worthy cause.
“After the success of last year’s event, Four’N Twenty is proud to once again support the return of this iconic match as the Four’N Twenty Legends Game for Prostate Cancer,” Surujpal said.
“Footy, legends and a great cause are at the heart of what this game represents, and it aligns perfectly with our long-standing connection to Aussie culture. We’re honoured to continue our support of the Australian Prostate Centre and help drive awareness and funding for prostate cancer through an event that brings people together through sport.”
Seven’s Head of AFL and Sport Innovation, Gary O’Keeffe, said:
“The return of the Four’N Twenty Legends Game delivered incredible ratings results for Seven in 2025 – making it abundantly clear just how much Australians missed the iconic match.
“We are proud to play a part in delivering this spectacle to fans all over the country, while working closely with our partners to raise vital funds for the Australian Prostate Centre. We look forwardto seeing which stars of yesteryear don the Big V and the All Stars guernsey on one of the most entertaining nights on the football calendar.”
Scott Fitzgerald, General Manager of Marvel Stadium, said:
“Last year we saw more than 30,000 fans pack Marvel Stadium and helped raise over $1 million for prostate cancer, which speaks to the incredible generosity and passion of the football community. After the atmosphere we saw in 2025, we are looking forward to hosting another unforgettable night at Marvel Stadium and see some of Australia’s legends take to the field to put on a show and make a real difference.”
