How to watch sport in Australia

Watching sport in Australia used to mean turning on the TV. Now a single weekend can involve three apps and two subscriptions. This hub explains where each major competition is shown, with links to detailed guides for each.

Every guide follows the same pattern: what is free, what needs a subscription, how to watch on different devices, radio options and the key dates in the season.

The competitions

AFL and AFLW

Seven shows around three AFL matches a round free on Seven, 7mate and 7plus, including Thursday and Friday nights, Sunday afternoons, all finals and the Grand Final. Fox Footy on Kayo Sports and Foxtel shows every match live, and most Saturday matches are exclusive to it. Read the AFL guide.

NRL and NRLW

Nine shows three NRL matches a round free on Nine and 9Now, plus finals, the Grand Final and State of Origin. Fox League on Kayo and Foxtel shows every match. A new deal from 2028 keeps the same partners. Read the NRL guide.

Cricket

Seven and Foxtel share the rights to Australia's home summer. Home Tests and women's internationals are free on Seven and 7plus, while Kayo and Foxtel carry everything. Read the cricket guide.

A-Leagues

Paramount+ streams every A-League Men and A-League Women match. Network 10 shows a weekly men's match and selected women's matches free. Read the A-Leagues guide.

Formula 1

Kayo and Foxtel show every session of every Grand Prix. The Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne is also free on 10 and 10 Play. Read the F1 guide.

Australian Open

Nine and 9Now show the Australian Open free, and Stan Sport streams every court. Read the Australian Open guide.

Rugby union

Stan Sport shows Super Rugby Pacific and Wallabies Tests, and Nine shows Wallabies home Tests and selected matches free. Read the rugby union guide.

Super Netball

In 2026, every match was on Kayo and Foxtel, with some free on Kayo Freebies. From 2027, Nine takes over, with matches on 9Network, 9Now and Stan Sport. Read the netball guide.

Choosing services

Start with free. Work out which of your must-see matches are free-to-air. For many fans, that is enough for most of the year.

Add one subscription at a time. If you follow one code closely, the service that shows every match of that code is usually the best value. If you follow several, compare which service covers most of them.

Subscribe by season. The AFL and NRL run roughly from March to early October, cricket from spring to autumn, the A-Leagues from October to May. Pause or cancel in the off-season.

Check the household plan. Many services offer plans with more simultaneous streams, which can matter if two people want to watch different matches.

Devices

Most free-to-air apps and sport streaming services work on popular smart TVs, streaming sticks, Apple TV, Android TV and Google TV devices, game consoles, phones, tablets and web browsers. Free-to-air channels need only a TV antenna. Check each service's supported device list and recommended internet speed before you subscribe.

Radio

ABC Sport carries live radio coverage of major competitions, including AFL, NRL and cricket, on ABC radio stations and the ABC listen app. Commercial radio stations also call football in their home markets. Radio is free and works in the car, at work and at the ground.

Watching from overseas

Australian broadcasters usually geo-restrict live sport to viewers in Australia because rights are sold country by country. If you are travelling, check the league's website for official international options, and the international streaming services some leagues run. We do not recommend ways to get around geo-restrictions, which can breach a service's terms of use.