Free-to-air sport in Australia

Free-to-air TV remains the backbone of Australian sport. The biggest days of the year, from the AFL and NRL Grand Finals to the Boxing Day Test and the Australian Open, are shown free. That is not an accident. It reflects long-standing government policy that nationally important sport should be available to everyone.

What is free right now

As at October 2026, the main free-to-air sport includes:

• AFL: around three matches a round on Seven, 7mate and 7plus, including Thursday and Friday nights and Sunday afternoons, every finals match and the Grand Final.
• NRL: three matches a round on Nine and 9Now, plus finals, the Grand Final and State of Origin.
• Cricket: home men's and women's Tests, women's internationals and many Big Bash matches on Seven and 7plus.
• A-Leagues: a weekly A-League Men match and selected A-League Women matches on 10 and 10 Play.
• Formula 1: the Australian Grand Prix on 10 and 10 Play.
• Tennis: the Australian Open on Nine and 9Now.
• Rugby union: Wallabies home Tests and selected matches on Nine and 9Now.
• Netball: from 2027, Super Netball moves to Nine, with free coverage on 9Network and 9Now.

The ABC and SBS also show sport from time to time, and SBS has a long history with football (soccer) and cycling.

The anti-siphoning scheme

Australia's anti-siphoning scheme is designed to stop events of national importance being "siphoned" off free TV onto paid services. The Minister for Communications maintains a list of events. Pay TV providers, and since reforms commenced on 17 December 2024, online streaming services, cannot acquire the rights to a listed event before a free-to-air broadcaster (a commercial network, the ABC or SBS) has the relevant rights.

The 2024 list added events including the Summer Paralympics, AFLW and NRLW finals, NRLW State of Origin and expanded women's and Ashes cricket. Events are usually removed from the list 26 weeks before they start if no free-to-air broadcaster has bought them, so the scheme gives free TV the first chance rather than a guarantee. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) enforces the rules.

That is why many of the biggest events are free, while regular-season matches are often split between free and paid services.

Getting the best reception

Use a good antenna. Most free-to-air sport is broadcast in HD. A well-aligned antenna pointed at the right transmitter makes a big difference. The government's mySwitch website shows your expected reception by address.

Retune after changes. If channels disappear, retune your TV. Broadcasters sometimes change frequencies.

Try the app. If reception is poor, 7plus, 9Now and 10 Play stream the same coverage free over the internet, although streams usually run slightly behind the TV broadcast.

Watch the delay. Streams, including on free apps, can be well behind live TV. If you also follow the score on your phone, turn off notifications to avoid spoilers.

When free is not enough

Free-to-air shows the biggest matches, but not every match. If you want to watch your team every week, especially in the AFL and NRL where many matches are exclusive to pay TV, you will need a subscription. Our sport-by-sport guides explain the options.

Regional viewers

In regional areas, free-to-air networks are often delivered through affiliate stations, and some matches may be shown on different channels or at different times. Remote viewers without terrestrial reception may use the VAST satellite service. Check your local guide or the network's website.