AFL Origin's Historic Return Captivates Millions on Channel 7 and 7plus
The highly-anticipated return of AFL Origin on Saturday night was a monumental success, with nearly two million Australians tuning in to watch Western Australia battle Victoria. This historic state-versus-state clash, the first since 1999, saw Victoria claim a 24-point victory, but the real winner was the broadcast, which smashed ratings records across the nation.
Record-Breaking Audience Numbers
The average TV audience for the AFL Origin match reached an impressive 843,000 viewers, representing a 34 per cent increase compared to last year's full season average. On the streaming front, 7plus Sport delivered even more staggering results, with over 182,000 viewers tuning in online. This figure marks a 227 per cent surge above the 2025 season average and a 41 per cent rise over the finals series, highlighting a significant shift towards digital viewership.
Star-Studded Commentary Team
Channel 7 assembled a blockbuster ensemble of commentators to cover the event, led by play-by-play icons Brian Taylor and James Brashaw. They were joined by Seven's experts Kane Cornes and Luke Hodge, who provided in-depth analysis throughout the match. Adding to the excitement, Abbey Holmes and West Coast great Nic Naitanui offered insights from the boundary, enhancing the overall broadcast experience for fans.
Executive Insights and Future Plans
Gary O'Keeffe, Seven's head of AFL and Innovation, expressed enthusiasm about the event's success, noting that the return of AFL Origin was met with overwhelming support from both fans and players. "This morning's exclusive announcement on Sunrise confirming Origin will return next year is incredibly exciting," he said. "We look forward to working closely with the AFL again to build on this momentum and make it even bigger and better in 2027."
Rob Maclean, Seven's National Sport Sales Director, emphasized the growing importance of streaming in sports broadcasting. "Seven's major events and sport this past year have delivered consistent total TV growth, fuelled by a surge in streaming audiences," he stated. "The strength of the AFL Origin audience across Seven and 7plus is further evidence of the value of live sport in today's landscape."
Context from the 2025 AFL Season
The success of AFL Origin builds on a stellar 2025 AFL season for Channel 7, which included:
- The AFL Grand Final reaching 6.2 million Australians, with an average total TV audience of 4.18 million.
- A record-breaking 985,000 streams on 7plus Sport for the Grand Final, up 51 per cent year-on-year.
- The full season reaching 17.4 million Australians, including 4.4 million on 7plus Sport.
- An average audience of 630,000 for the 2025 full season and 1.05 million for the Finals series, up five per cent on 2024.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 AFL Premiership Season
With the AFL Origin event concluded, attention now turns to the upcoming 2026 AFL Premiership Season. It kicks off on Thursday, 5 March, live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport, featuring the Sydney Swans hosting Carlton at the SCG. This match will mark Charlie Curnow's first game for the Swans since crossing from the Blues, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the season opener.
The resurgence of AFL Origin has not only reignited state rivalries but also demonstrated the enduring appeal of live sports broadcasting, with Channel 7 and 7plus at the forefront of delivering exceptional content to fans nationwide.
