2026 AFL Grand Final breaks all-time viewership records

Saturday's Grand Final between Fremantle and Brisbane broke television records, becoming the most viewed program in Australia across the entire year.

Channel 7’s stream of the 2026 AFL Grand Final has eclipsed every television event across the entire year, amassing a record TV audience of 4.52 million people, with a total reach of 6.5 million.

Up eight per cent from last year, Saturday’s game became the most viewed and highest rated Grand Final of all time.

Beyond the game itself, Channel 7’s stream of the pre-match entertainment, featuring Kylie Minogue, G Flip, Mike Brady, Michael Paynter and William Barton, recorded a TV audience of 1.83 million with a total reach of 4.35 million – up 20 per cent from last year.

Seven’s media release reads as follows:

The Seven Network's live, free and exclusive coverage of the 2026 AFL Grand Final showdown between the Brisbane Lions and Fremantle at the MCG has taken the crown as the most watched TV program of the year, with a national total TV audience of 4.52 million and an audience reach of 6.5 million.

The number of people who turned to Seven and 7plus Sport to watch Brisbane claim the 2026 Premiership Cup was up 8% on last year and the highest rating AFL Grand Final ever.

Yesterday's thrilling game set a new audience record on 7plus, with 1.42 million viewers, up 44% from 984,000 in 2025 - giving 7plus its biggest day ever.

The Seven Network was the #1 network on Saturday, with the AFL Grand Final, the AFL Grand Final Post-Match Presentations, the AFL Grand Final Pre-Game Entertainment and the AFL Grand On The Ground the four most-watched programs. 7NEWS was ranked #5.

From 6am to 6pm yesterday. Seven had an 86% commercial share in all people, including an 88.5% share in 25 to 54s. 7plus was #1 in BVOD on Saturday, with an 85.6% audience share. In live streaming alone, 7plus had an 89.3 share.

The AFL Grand Final Post-Match Presentations reached 6 million, with a national total TV audience of 3.96 million, up 18% on 2025. The AFL Grand Final Pre-Game Entertainment starring Kylie Minogue, G Flip, Michael Paynter, William Barton and Mike "Up There Cazaly" Brady reached 4.35 million and had a national total TV audience of 1.83 million, up 20% on last year.

Across social media, 7AFL's digital platforms delivered huge numbers throughout AFL Grand Final Day, generating more than 16,492,500 total impressions, 1,514.560 engagements and 9,317,520 video views.

The 2026 AFL Grand Final was the highlight of a remarkable AFL season on Seven and 7plus Sport. The Finals Series (excluding yesterday's match) reached 9.1 million people and a total TV audience of 1.12 million, up 9% from 1.03 million in 2025.