The 2025 Toyota AFL Open was held at La Trobe University Sports Precinct in Bundoora, Victoria, from Monday 27- Thursday 30 October.
This event is the flagship national event for the modified versions of AFL known as AFL Inclusion (for players with an intellectual disability) and AFL Wheelchair. Every state and territory was represented, with the addition of a wheelchair team from RSL Active.
The event was held over four action-packed days, with 200 athletes playing over 60 matches, culminating in some incredible grand finals and matches.
As participation continues to rise, with new ways for people to play and connect with the game, in 2025 there were two exhibition matches to focus on highlighting the inclusion pathways in modified AFL.
A Women & Girls' Inclusion exhibition took place with Victoria taking on an Allies team with players represented from each state and territory. The Allies team won this thrilling game by 36 points.
Players from the Victorian Blind Football League hosted a AFL Blind exhibition match, this gave spectators the opportunity to experience the excitement of AFL Blind.
The Toyota AFL Open Inclusion division is an annual representative competition for participants aged 16+ with intellectual disability. It allows Australia’s top footballers to represent their State or Territory, while showcasing their significant abilities to the broader community.
Each State and Territory is represented at this competition with teams travelling from all over the country.
You can view the by-laws here and a plain language version of the by-laws here.
The event sees two teams of 12 compete on the field, with 4 on the bench. It follows traditional Australian Football rules and is classified under Sport Inclusion Australia, meaning players must meet guidelines to ensure the integrity of the game is upheld.
Although football is the key focus of the event, players also develop other skills through a series of education sessions, clinics with local special schools, and simply living away from home for the week. The aim of the event is to develop these footballers into well-rounded role models within their community.
The Toyota AFL Open Wheelchair division is an annual football competition for the nation’s best wheelchair athletes from across the country. This event provides Australia’s most talented footballers the chance to represent their State/Territory, and to showcase their ability and skills to the broader community.
Each State and Territory is represented at this competition, with the added addition of a team from the RSL.
You can view the by-laws here and the wheelchair classification manual here.
