The countdown is on to the 2026 Toyota AFL Open, with just a week until the AFL's flagship national event for footballers with disability takes centre stage in Melbourne.
From Monday October 12 to Wednesday October 14 at La Trobe University Sports Precinct, Bundoora, the 2026 Toyota AFL Open will bring together more than 300 players, coaches, officials and support staff from every state and territory for three days of competition.
Now in its third year, the Toyota AFL Open continues to showcase the best of disability football in Australia, bringing together the nation's premier Inclusion and Wheelchair AFL competitions while highlighting the growing pathways available for people with disability to participate in the game.
Teams will compete for national honours in:
- 2026 Toyota AFL Open - Inclusion (Men)
- 2026 Toyota AFL Open - Inclusion (Women)
- 2026 Toyota AFL Open - Wheelchair
A dedicated Women's & Girls Inclusion Division will feature for the first time in official competition following the success of exhibition matches in recent years, marking another significant step forward for participation and representation in disability football.
The event will also feature:
- Blind and Low Vision Exhibition Match
- NAB AFL Auskick Exhibition Wheelchair Match
The additional exhibition opportunities reflect the AFL's commitment to creating more inclusive participation pathways and showcasing the adaptability of Australian football for people of all abilities.
This year's tournament will also celebrate a major milestone, with 2026 marking 10 years of the national Wheelchair AFL competition and the crucial role Disability Sports Australia and the Australian Defence Force have played in establishment and growth of the format.
The AFL also acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government, whose contribution has helped bring the 2026 Toyota AFL Open to Victoria and support the continued growth of disability football pathways.
The Toyota AFL Open remains FREE for spectators to attend, with matches streamed LIVE via AFL.com.au, Kayo Sports and Kayo Freebies, ensuring fans across the country can follow all the action.
AFL Executive General Manager Game Development Rob Auld said the event continues to demonstrate the power of football to create opportunities and connections for all Australians.
"The Toyota AFL Open is one of the most important events on our football calendar, bringing together athletes from across the country and showcasing the many ways people connect with our game.
"With just one week to go, we're excited to welcome players, coaches, families and supporters to Melbourne for what promises to be another outstanding celebration of disability football.
"This year's event is particularly significant with the introduction of a dedicated Women's & Girls Inclusion Division, the celebration of 10 years of Wheelchair AFL and the addition of the exhibition matches.
"The Toyota AFL Open demonstrates that footy can be adapted in so many ways to provide meaningful opportunities for participation, development and competition, and we're committed to ensuring strong pathways exist for people with disability from NAB AFL Auskick through to national representation.
"On behalf of the AFL, I'd like to congratulate everyone selected to represent their state or territory and thank Toyota for their continued support in helping create opportunities for more people to play and enjoy our game."
Toyota General Manager, National Marketing Vin Naidoo said the Toyota AFL Open is a powerful celebration of the athletes, families, coaches and communities who make disability football such an important part of our game.
“Toyota is proud to support an event where the country’s leading Inclusion AFL and Wheelchair AFL players can compete, connect and inspire others.
“The 10-year milestone for national Wheelchair AFL competition is an opportunity to celebrate how far the game has come, while building even stronger pathways for the future.”
The Chair of ADF Australian Rules Brigadier Cameron Purdey said that the event holds special significance for the Australian Defence Force.
"We are very proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Wheelchair AFL, a sport the ADF helped establish to give veterans injured in the service of our country an avenue to access the physical and mental health benefits of playing Aussie Rules football.
“Today the ADF continues to provide support to Wheelchair AFL in the form of umpires for the Toyota AFL Open. We are proud to be part of the history of this unique and accessible sport that now benefits the wider Australian community."
Disability Sport Australia Chief Executive Officer, Ayden Shaw, said the 10-year milestone was an opportunity to reflect on the growth of Wheelchair AFL and the impact it continues to have across the country.
"Ten years on, AFL Wheelchair has grown from an emerging format into a national competition opening up new opportunities for people with disability across Australia.
"Disability Sports Australia is proud to have helped build the sport alongside the Australian Defence Force and the AFL, but the real success is seeing people with disability now representing their clubs and states.
"The next ten years are about creating more opportunities for people with disability to take part and continuing to show that footy is a game for everyone."
For all the latest updates ahead of the 2026 Toyota AFL Open visit play.afl and follow AFL state and territory social media accounts.