Action from Victoria's Inclusion team at the 2025 Toyota AFL Open. Image: Morgan Hancock / AFL Open
Following the success of last year's Toyota AFL Open in Melbourne, the flagship national event for athletes with an intellectual impairment and wheelchair players will return to La Trobe University Sports Complex in Bundoora.
The third iteration of the national event will be held from Monday 12 - Wednesday 14 October, with every state and territory represented across three championship divisions:
- 2026 Toyota AFL Open - Wheelchair (a mixed division)
- 2026 Toyota AFL Open - Inclusion (Men's and Women's)
Following the successful staging of women and girls Inclusion exhibition matches at the past two Toyota AFL Open events, the AFL is pleased to further build on the growth of the category by introducing a dedicated women and girls Inclusion division to the official 2026 competition. All states and territories will be represented, with the Northern Territory and Tasmania combining to form a team.
The event will feature the return of a Blind and Low Vision exhibition match as well as the introduction of a Deaf and Hard of Hearing exhibition game, showcasing the expanding opportunities within modified versions of Australian football.
In a significant milestone year, the 2026 event will also celebrate 10 years of the national wheelchair competition, recognising the significant contribution and longstanding support of Disability Sports Australia (DSA) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in establishing and growing the event over the past decade.
To mark the occasion, a special commemorative game will be staged in partnership with DSA, ADF and the AFL, featuring a mix of participants from across the football and broader community.
Since its introduction, the Toyota AFL Open has united the former Toyota AFL National Inclusion Carnival and Toyota Wheelchair AFL National Championships into one showcase event, strengthening pathways and providing a national stage for athletes of all abilities.
More details, including team announcements and match schedules for the 2026 Toyota AFL Open will be announced closer to the event. Keep an eye on the AFL Victoria digital channels for updates.