Australian sport never really stops. As one season ends another begins, and in some months you can follow four or five major competitions at once. This calendar shows the usual shape of the year. Exact dates change, so always check the official fixture.
Season at a glance
| Competition | Usual season | Main free-to-air | Every match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cricket (home summer) | October/November to March | Seven | Kayo, Foxtel |
| Big Bash League | December to January | Seven | Kayo, Foxtel |
| Australian Open | January | Nine | Stan Sport |
| Australian Grand Prix (F1) | March (usually) | 10 | Kayo, Foxtel |
| AFL | March to September | Seven | Kayo, Foxtel |
| NRL | March to early October | Nine | Kayo, Foxtel |
| State of Origin | May to July | Nine | Nine (exclusive) |
| Super Rugby Pacific | February to June | Nine (selected) | Stan Sport |
| Wallabies Tests | Mid-year and spring | Nine | Stan Sport |
| Super Netball | Autumn to winter | Nine from 2027 | Stan Sport from 2027 |
| AFLW | Late winter to spring | Seven (selected) | Kayo, Foxtel |
| A-Leagues | October to May | 10 | Paramount+ |
"Usual season" describes a typical year. Fixtures, including the F1 date, can move.
Summer: cricket and tennis
Summer belongs to cricket. The home international season usually begins in spring, with the Test series building to the Boxing Day Test at the MCG and the New Year Test at the SCG, when those matches are scheduled. The Big Bash League runs through December and January. In January, the Australian Open brings the world's best tennis players to Melbourne Park, and many fans switch between the two. Read our cricket guide and Australian Open guide.
Autumn: the football codes start
In March, the AFL and NRL seasons start, and Formula 1 usually visits Melbourne's Albert Park for the Australian Grand Prix. The 2026 AFL season began on Thursday 5 March with the Sydney Swans and Carlton at the SCG. Super Rugby Pacific runs from late summer into winter. Read our AFL, NRL and F1 guides.
Winter: Origin and netball
State of Origin, rugby league's interstate series between New South Wales and Queensland, is played in mid-year, live and free on Nine. Super Netball is played through autumn and winter. The Wallabies play home Tests in the middle of the year. Read our netball and rugby union guides.
Spring: finals season
September is finals month. The AFL Grand Final is usually played on the last Saturday in September or close to it at the MCG, and the NRL Grand Final follows in late September or early October. AFLW runs through late winter and spring. The A-Leagues begin in October.
Planning your subscriptions
Because seasons overlap, the cheapest way to watch is often to subscribe to each service only while your sport is on. For example, an AFL fan might subscribe to Kayo from March to September and cancel in the off-season, while a football (soccer) fan might subscribe to Paramount+ from October to May.
Women's sport through the year
Women's competitions now run through much of the year: the WBBL in spring and early summer, A-League Women from spring to autumn, Super Netball from autumn to winter, NRLW and AFLW from late winter into spring, and Wallaroos Tests in the middle of the year. Several women's events were added to the anti-siphoning list in 2024, including AFLW and NRLW finals and NRLW State of Origin.
Watch planner
What do you follow?
- AFL (men’s)
Free-to-airSeven, 7mate & 7plus: about three matches a round, finals and the Grand Final
Every matchKayo Sports, Foxtel (Fox Footy)
Most Saturday matches are exclusive to Fox Footy.
- Cricket (home summer)
Free-to-airSeven & 7plus: home Tests, women’s internationals and many BBL matches
Every matchKayo Sports, Foxtel (Fox Cricket)
Some men’s ODIs and T20Is are Foxtel/Kayo only.
| Sport | Free-to-air | Every match |
|---|---|---|
| AFL (men’s) | Seven, 7mate & 7plus: about three matches a round, finals and the Grand Final | Kayo Sports, Foxtel (Fox Footy)Most Saturday matches are exclusive to Fox Footy. |
| Cricket (home summer) | Seven & 7plus: home Tests, women’s internationals and many BBL matches | Kayo Sports, Foxtel (Fox Cricket)Some men’s ODIs and T20Is are Foxtel/Kayo only. |
To see every match of your picks you would need: Kayo Sports + Foxtel. The free-to-air column needs only a TV antenna or the free app.
Based on published broadcast arrangements as at October 2026. Rights and schedules change; check the league and broadcaster before match day. We do not list prices because they change often.
Keeping track of fixtures
- Download the official league app for fixtures, scores and match-day news.
- Add fixtures to your phone calendar. Many leagues offer calendar feeds for each team.
- Follow broadcasters' weekly guides, which confirm which matches are free-to-air in your state.
Frequently asked questions
When does the AFL season start?
The AFL home and away season usually starts in March, with Opening Round, and the Grand Final is usually played in late September at the MCG. The 2026 season began on Thursday 5 March.
When is the Boxing Day Test?
The Boxing Day Test begins on 26 December at the MCG each summer when it is scheduled. Check Cricket Australia's schedule for the current summer.
When is the Australian Open?
The Australian Open is played at Melbourne Park in January each year.
When does the A-League season run?
The A-League Men season usually runs from October to May, including finals. Check the A-Leagues fixture for exact dates.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked against these primary and official sources. Conditions change — confirm before you travel or buy.
- AFL fixture — AFL
- NRL draw — NRL
- Schedule revealed for 2026-27 Aussie summer of cricket — Cricket Australia
- 2026/27 A-League full fixture list revealed — A-Leagues
- Australian Open — Tennis Australia
- Seven unveils AFL 2026 broadcast line-up — TV Blackbox