What Is 2025 AFL Women's Grand Final

Overview

The 2025 AFL Women's Grand Final will crown the premiership team of AFLW Season 10, marking a milestone in the league's rapid expansion and growing popularity. Scheduled for November 2025, the match will cap a season that includes 18 clubs for the first time, following the addition of expansion teams.

As the culmination of the AFLW finals series, the Grand Final brings together the two best-performing teams after the semi-finals and preliminary finals. The event continues to break attendance and viewership records, reflecting the rising profile of women's elite sport in Australia.

• Season 10 of the AFLW will debut in August 2025 and conclude with the Grand Final in November, marking the first full season with 18 teams competing.
• The 2025 Grand Final is expected to be hosted at a major stadium such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground or Accor Stadium, both of which have previously hosted record crowds.
• Expansion clubs like Hawthorn, Essendon, and the Sydney Swans joined in 2022–2024, setting the stage for a fully national competition by 2025.
• The 2023 Grand Final set a record attendance of 53,034 at the MCG, the highest for any women’s football code globally, indicating strong momentum into 2025.
• Unlike earlier seasons split across February and September, Season 10 will run August–November 2025 to avoid overlap with the men’s AFL season and maximize visibility.

How It Works

The AFL Women's Grand Final is the final match of a structured finals series that determines the season's champion, following a home-and-away season and elimination rounds.

• Season Format: The AFLW season consists of a 17-round home-and-away fixture, followed by a four-week finals series involving the top eight teams.
• Finals Structure: The top eight teams enter a crossover finals system, with qualifying, semi-, and preliminary finals leading to the Grand Final.
• Grand Final: The winning team of the preliminary final secures a premiership and is awarded the AFLW Premiership Cup and medals.
• Venue Selection: The Grand Final is hosted at a neutral venue, chosen based on capacity, location, and broadcast logistics, often the MCG or Accor Stadium.
• Player Eligibility: Players must be on the team’s primary or rookie list and meet clearance and injury return protocols to participate in the Grand Final.
• Broadcast Rights: The match is televised nationally on Seven Network and ESPN, with global streaming available via AFL Digital platforms.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of recent AFLW Grand Finals highlights the league's growth in attendance, team count, and scheduling:

The table shows a clear upward trend in attendance and national reach. With Season 10 set for November 2025, organizers anticipate a new record crowd, especially if the MCG hosts again. The shift to a standalone August–November window has improved player preparation and fan engagement.

Why It Matters

The 2025 AFL Women's Grand Final symbolizes the full integration of women’s football into Australia’s sporting mainstream, with implications beyond sport. It reflects years of investment, advocacy, and cultural change.

• Gender Equity: The AFLW Grand Final showcases equal pay initiatives and professional standards, setting benchmarks for other women’s leagues globally.
• Economic Impact: Hosting the Grand Final generates over $5 million in local economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and media.
• Youth Inspiration: Record viewership inspires over 100,000 girls to participate in grassroots Aussie Rules annually.
• Media Visibility: The match attracts over 1 million viewers nationally, with increasing international streaming interest.
• Commercial Growth: Sponsorship deals for AFLW clubs have risen 300% since 2020, reflecting brand confidence.
• Legacy: The 2025 final will be remembered as the first full season with 18 teams, cementing the AFLW as a premier women’s competition.

As the league approaches its tenth season, the 2025 Grand Final stands as a testament to the progress of women’s sport and a catalyst for future growth.