In 2025, significant changes are coming to the way Australians consume their beloved Saturday footy. Foxtel’s recent confirmation to 7.30 that all Saturday games for the home-and-away season will be exclusively broadcast on Fox Footy in Victoria, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory has sent shockwaves through the nation. This transition is a result of the AFL’s $4.5 billion broadcast deal, initiated in 2022 and set to run through 2031. With pay services like Fox Footy and Kayo securing exclusive rights to live Saturday AFL games, fans accustomed to free-to-air coverage are facing a new reality.
Fans like Clint Gilbert, who grew up in Melbourne’s outer suburbs, are grappling with the prospect of losing the tradition of watching Saturday footy on free-to-air television. For him, Saturdays were synonymous with football excitement, and the news of the change has left him disheartened. Alongside his partner Tyla Farrall, Clint laments the additional expense of having to subscribe to Kayo to watch their favorite sport. The $25 per month cost of a basic Kayo subscription is seen as yet another financial burden in an era where nearly everything comes with a price tag.
As the landscape of Saturday footy coverage undergoes a significant shift, Channel 7 is stepping up to fill the void left by the absence of free-to-air games. Promising more free-to-air coverage than ever before, the network plans to air 23 Thursday night games—a noticeable increase from the previous year’s 14. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon emphasized that these changes are a response to fan feedback, stating that the league is committed to delivering what fans desire. The decision to transition from Saturday night free-to-air games to Thursday night broadcasts seeks to adapt to evolving viewer preferences.
Media analyst Mark C-Scott from Victoria University sheds light on the industry’s motivations behind these changes, highlighting the AFL and broadcasters’ joint efforts to maximize revenue. While the altered free-to-air landscape may come as a surprise to many fans, the shift reflects the evolving media landscape. The absence of Saturday free-to-air footy will undoubtedly prompt questions and adjustments among viewers accustomed to the traditional Saturday night routine.
Amidst these changes, the government’s anti-siphoning list, designed to protect certain sports from subscription paywalls, has come into focus. Federal Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland clarifies that the list does not guarantee that all games will be shown for free or live on free-to-air broadcasters. The flexibility provided by the anti-siphoning list allows sports codes and their media partners to negotiate deals that align with their objectives and financial considerations.
Recognizing the inevitable evolution of how fans engage with the sport, former West Coast and Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse stresses the importance of adapting to change. With over 50 years of experience in various roles within the AFL, Malthouse acknowledges the sentimental value of Saturday games on free-to-air TV for fans across the nation. The sense of tradition associated with watching footy on Saturdays holds a special place in the hearts of many Australians, and the potential loss of this experience is met with mixed emotions.
As fans gather for the Community Shield pre-season match between Richmond and Collingwood, the impending changes to free-to-air coverage remain a topic of concern. Many attendees express disappointment at the shift away from free-to-air Saturday games, citing the cultural significance of accessible footy broadcasts. The sentiment that AFL is “the people’s game” underscores the widespread impact of these changes on fans who have grown accustomed to watching their favorite sport without additional costs.
The transition towards exclusive pay service coverage reflects a broader trend in Australia’s media landscape, where free-to-air content is gradually being replaced by subscription-based models. For fans like Tyla Farrall, this shift represents a departure from the notion of Australia as a “free country,” signaling a move towards a more paid-centric approach to entertainment consumption. As the nation navigates these changes, the enduring love for footy and the sense of community it fosters will continue to be a unifying force for fans across the country.