VFL 2025: New Era Dawns with Expanded Coverage and Historic Interstate Rivalry

A Milestone Year for Victorian Football

The Victorian Football League (VFL) continues to evolve as a major state-level competition, featuring 21 teams from across the eastern states, following its significant expansion in 2021 to include clubs from New South Wales and Queensland.

Broadcasting and Accessibility

The 2025 season marks the beginning of a landmark seven-year, $4.5 billion broadcast rights deal with the Seven Network, Foxtel, and Telstra. This comprehensive agreement has resulted in significant changes to the broadcast schedule, with Seven moving its VFL coverage to Saturday nights at 7pm on 7mate in Victoria.

In a major boost for fans, all VFL and VFLW matches will be live streamed for free this season, accessible via the AFL Website, the Official AFL Live App, and the VFL app, complete with live scores and statistics.

Historic Interstate Rivalry

A significant highlight of the 2025 season will be an historic chapter in the long-standing rivalry between the VFL and South Australian National Football League (SANFL), with both men’s and women’s representative matches scheduled during the Gather Round. The women’s game will take place at Alberton Oval on April 11, while the men’s clash will be held at Tanunda Recreation Park in the Barossa on April 12.

Competition Structure and Finals

The season’s competitive structure will see the top ten teams qualifying for the VFL Finals Series, beginning with Wildcard finals on August 23-24. The finals series will span five weeks, culminating in the 2025 VFL Grand Final on the weekend of September 20-21.

In a significant development for the competition’s future, Tasmania has secured a licence to join the VFL starting from 2026, marking another step in the league’s continued expansion and development.

VFLW Developments

The women’s competition is undergoing strategic changes, with AFL Head of State League Competitions Jennie Loughnan emphasizing the focus on elevating standards. The VFLW season has been repositioned to better align with the updated NAB AFLW season, creating more opportunities for AFLW-listed players to participate in VFLW matches as they prepare for their primary season, ultimately enhancing the competition’s standard and supporting women’s football talent development.