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AFL finals fixture 2026: First ever wildcard games locked in as entire top 10 confirmed For the first time in history, the AFL is about to launch into a 10-team finals series, with the inaugural wildcard round just days away. The two wildcard match-ups are locked in while Hawthorn’s win over West Coast tonight saw the top six cemented. The week two schedule is expected to be announced on Monday. Watch the best coverage of the 2026 AFL finals series, including every game until the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. See the 2026 AFL finals fixture, plus see how the AFL finals system works below. AFL 2026 FINALS FIXTURE (All times AEST) WEEK 1 - WILDCARD FINALS - AUGUST 28-29 Second Wildcard Final Western Bulldogs [8th] vs Collingwood [9th] - 7:40pm Friday 28 August at the MCG First Wildcard Final Melbourne [7th] vs Carlton [10th] - 7:35pm Saturday 29 August at the MCG WEEK 2 - QUALIFYING AND ELIMINATION FINALS - SEPTEMBER 3-5 First Qualifying Final Fremantle [1st] vs Hawthorn [4th] - time and date TBC at Optus Stadium Second Qualifying Final Sydney Swans [2nd] vs Brisbane Lions [3rd] - time and date TBC at the SCG First Elimination Final Geelong [5th] vs Lowest Ranked Wildcard Winner [8th, 9th or 10th] - time and date TBC at the MCG Second Elimination Final Adelaide Crows [6th] vs Highest Ranked Wildcard Winner [7th, 8th or 9th] - time and date TBC at Adelaide Oval WEEK 3 - SEMI FINALS - SEPTEMBER 11-12 First Semi Final First Qualifying Final loser [1st or 4th] vs First Elimination Final winner [5th, 8th, 9th or 10th] - time and date TBC at Optus Stadium/MCG Second Semi Final Second Qualifying Final loser [2nd or 3rd] vs Second Elimination Final winner [6th, 7th, 8th or 9th] - time and date TBC at the SCG/Gabba Note: The MCG cannot be used on Friday September 11 due to a schedule conflict with the NFL. WEEK 4 - PRELIMINARY FINALS - SEPTEMBER 18-19 First Preliminary Final First Qualifying Final winner [1st or 4th] vs Second Semi Final winner [2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th, 8th or 9th] - time and date TBC at Optus Stadium/MCG Second Preliminary Final Second Qualifying Final winner [2nd or 3rd] vs First Semi Final winner [1st, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th or 10th] - time and date TBC at the SCG/Gabba AFL GRAND FINAL 2026 Winner of First Preliminary Final vs Winner of Second Preliminary Final Saturday September 26, 2:30pm at the MCG WHEN IS THE AFL GRAND FINAL? The AFL finals series gets underway on Friday August 28, with the first ever wildcard final, held during what used to be the pre-finals bye week. The 2026 AFL Grand Final is scheduled for Saturday September 26, remaining in its traditional slot of 2:30pm AEST at the MCG. HOW THE AFL FINALS SYSTEM WORKS Two teams are eliminated each week until the Grand Final. The AFL expanded the finals to 10 teams in 2026, meaning the post-season will last for five weeks. In week one, the wildcard round will see the winners of the First Wildcard Final (7th vs 10th) and Second Wildcard Final (8th vs 9th) advance into the traditional eight-team bracket. From there, the winners of the two qualifying finals advance to host the two preliminary finals, each getting a week off, while the qualifying final losers each host an elimination final winner. The loser of the First Qualifying Final (1st vs 4th) hosts the winner of the First Elimination Final (5th vs Lowest Ranked Wildcard winner, ie 8th, 9th or 10th) in the First Semi Final. The loser of the Second Qualifying Final (2nd vs 3rd) hosts the winner of the Second Elimination Final (6th vs Highest Ranked Wildcard winner, ie 7th, 8th or 9th) in the Second Semi Final. The winner of the First Qualifying Final (1st vs 4th) hosts the winner of the Second Semi Final (2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th, 8th or 9th) in the First Preliminary Final. The winner of the Second Qualifying Final (2nd vs 3rd) hosts the winner of the First Semi Final (1st, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th or 10th) in the Second Preliminary Final. The winners of the two Preliminary Finals face off in the AFL Grand Final.