Aussie Rules participation across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory continues to build in 2026 as the AFL prepares to offer mid-season entry for NAB AFL Auskick and NAB AFL Superkick this month.
Mid-season entry allows for aspiring junior footballers to join their local club and play NAB AFL Auskick or NAB AFL Superkick mid-way through the current season.
Opening on June 14, mid-season entrants receive a NAB AFL Auskick or NAB AFL Superkick community pack when signing up at the price of $62.50 per participant – or for FREE when redeeming a local club’s PLAY Your Way voucher.
Available to be redeemed at local clubs across the state and territory, PLAY Your Way vouchers are designed to support families and ease the cost of playing AFL by granting up to $100 off registration fees for children participating in NAB AFL Auskick, NAB AFL Superkick and junior community footy (under 13s and younger, learn more about the PLAY Your Way voucher initiative here).
The AFL’s mid-season entry offer comes as New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory records a 14 per cent increase in AFL participation since this time last year.
Participation across Sydney continues to build, with the total number of AFL participants in Sydney up 20 per cent year-to-date, while Western Sydney has seen a rise of participation by 25 percent since May 2025.
The upwards trajectory continues across regional New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, with almost 10% growth in AFL participation year-to-date.
Head of AFL NSW/ACT Andrew Varasdi said: “Mid-season entry is a fantastic way for kids and families that are curious about AFL to be introduced to the game.
“Our game is growing and it’s incumbent on the AFL to provide more opportunities for more people to be part of footy, despite the season having already started.
“What’s clear to us is there is a growing appetite for Aussie Rules football across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. We’re buoyed by the progress we’ve made in bringing our game to more people in 2026, and are looking forward to continuing our efforts for the remainder of the year.”
Participants taking up the mid-season entry offer will join the AFL community at an exciting time during the season as key AFL and AFLW fixtures are held across NSW and the ACT.
These include the recently announced AFLW Australia v Ireland to be held on Saturday, August 1 at North Sydney Oval in the lead-up to the 2026 NAB AFLW – the eleventh season of the elite women’s competition.
AFL and AFLW double-headers will also be played in Sydney, including during Round 1 of the AFLW when the GIANTS return to ENGIE Stadium and Round 2 for the Sydney Swans at the hallowed SCG.
The second Sydney Derby of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season will be held at ENGIE Stadium in Round 20 on Saturday, July 25 while the GIANTS will return to Corroboree Group Oval Manuka in Canberra when they meet Fremantle in Round 17 on Saturday, July 4 and the Gold Coast Suns in Round 22 on Sunday, August 9.
2026 mid-season entry ends on Sunday, August 16.
To redeem the mid-season entry offer using your Play Your Way voucher on June 14, visit play.afl/club-finder.