With major changes to the competition structures and new rivalries, the 2025 season of the Queensland Australian Football League (QAFL) and Bond University QAFL Women’s (QAFLW) competitions are set to deliver an action-packed year for players, officials and fans alike.
Three marquee themed rounds will headline the season’s action with ANZAC Round to be played across Friday April 25 and Saturday April 26, Sir Doug Nicholls Round across Saturday May 17 and 24 and Pride Round over Saturday July 19 and 26.
QAFL: A new era
The 2025 QAFL season will feature an exciting increase to 13 clubs, with the introduction of Coorparoo to the competition. Additionally, the season will include an expanded Top 8 Finals Series, increasing the excitement and opportunities for teams battling for a spot come August.
Beginning on March 29, the season will comprise of 18 matches for each club across 20 rounds (or 22 weeks), with four scheduled byes – including two key competition byes over Easter (April 19) and a mid season bye (July 5), plus two other scheduled byes based on each club's fixture.
Key matchups
Round 1: Reigning premiers Morningside kick off the season at home in a highly anticipated Grand Final rematch against Redland-Victoria Point, setting the tone for what promises to be an electrifying season. While Labrador will unveil their upgraded facilities against local rivals Broadbeach in what’s always guaranteed to be a highly anticipated contest.
ANZAC Round: Sunshine Coast rivals Noosa and Maroochydore will battle it out, while Coorparoo will host Sherwood in a standalone Anzac Day blockbuster on Friday, April 25.
Round 7: Aspley head to Redland-Victoria Point looking for revenge after their gut-wrenching Preliminary Final loss in 2024.
Round 10: Palm Beach Currumbin will host Surfers Paradise at Veracity Oval on June 7 – a fixture that will be part of the club's Player Reunion celebrations.
Round 15: Mt. Gravatt will take on Broadbeach, who they narrowly missed out on defeating in the final round of 2024.
Competition Manager - QAFL and QAFLW, Adrian Richardson, said he was thrilled to see the QAFL continue to evolve in 2025.
“We look forward to another exciting year ahead, where every match counts and the pursuit of premiership glory is wide open for all teams,” he said.
“The introduction of Coorparoo to bring the competition to 13 teams, along with a larger Top 8 Finals Series, sets the stage for a more competitive and dynamic season.
“Key matchups in the final few rounds of the regular season will include Aspley vs. Surfers Paradise, Palm Beach Currumbin vs. Noosa, and Maroochydore vs. Morningside, which could prove pivotal in shaping the final ladder and finals positions.
“We’ve seen another good off-season with a number of high-profile signings joining (or re-joining) the competition in 2025, including newly retired SUN Levi Casboult to Palm Beach Currumbin, former St Kilda midfielder Leo Connolly to Aspley, while Surfers Paradise has made a big off-season acquisition, announcing the signing of Cam Ellis-Yolmen.”
Click here to download the 2025 QAFL Fixture
QAFLW: Expansion and new rivalries
The 2025 Bond University QAFLW season will also see significant growth, with Moreton Bay and Morningside joining the competition, bringing the total number of clubs to 10.
Kicking off on April 5, the season will span 16 rounds with the Premiership decided via a Top 6 Finals Series.
Key matchups
Round 1: Newly elevated clubs Moreton Bay and Morningside face off in an exciting season opener at Red Rooster Park.
ANZAC Round: The women’s competition will feature some much anticipated fixtures, including Yeronga-South Brisbane against Maroochydore, and Coorparoo taking on Bond University to celebrate ANZAC Day itself.
Yeronga-South Brisbane will begin their campaign with three consecutive home games, providing them an early opportunity to build momentum. Similarly, Coorparoo will be aiming to make a strong start with a front-loaded home schedule.
With UQ, Maroochydore, and Wilston Grange all in the hunt for finals positions, the 2025 season promises to be more competitive and unpredictable than the past few years.
Richardson said that like the QAFL, the Bond University QAFLW was set for its biggest and best year yet.
“Exciting changes, the addition of two new clubs and the introduction of a top six finals series, the Bond University QAFLW is poised to deliver even more excitement and high-stakes action in season 2025,” he said.
“The off-season has seen plenty of movement with exciting coach and player signings set to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our competition. These additions will further enhance the league, which continues to serve as a vital breeding ground for AFLW talent.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the ongoing support from our fantastic sponsors in Bond University as they head into a tenth season as the QAFLW naming rights partner.”
Click here to download the 2025 Bond University QAFLW Fixture
