Seven and Foxtel have fought off other networks to keep broadcast rights to the AFL in a deal said to be the biggest in Australian sports rights history.
The deal covers seven seasons to 2031 and will deliver $4.5 billion to the AFL.
The AFL says the deal means Seven will have at least the same number of free-to-air games.
The announcement was made by AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and AFL Commission chairman Richard Goyder.
McLachlan: "Footy is the greatest game in the world and we have the best broadcast partners and our announcement today is the biggest partnership in the history of Australian sport.
"We are very proud to once again be hand in hand with Seven Network, Foxtel, Kayo and Telstra."
Fox Sports and Kayo will continue to show all games live and ad-break free during play including pre-season, premiership season and final series from 2025.
The 2022 AFL season has seen record-breaking viewership, supercharged by sports streaming service Kayo, with its 1.3 million subscribers and more than 50 sports.
The streaming generation accounts for 47% of live AFL viewing.
As part of the ground-breaking multi-year broadcast deal, for the first time Fox Sports’ popular commentary and award-winning production will be available on all games including alternate commentary feeds, renowned graphic innovations and expanded digital highlights.
Seven West Media CEO James Warburton: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with the AFL until 2031. Securing a comprehensive package of digital rights to the AFL for 7plus was our absolute focus.
"For the first time, fans will be able to access the best AFL games and video content, live and free, in a way that suits them.
“More importantly, this new combination of broadcast and digital means SWM will be ideally positioned to drive and capture a significant share of the growing total television market.
“Together, the AFL and Seven have made the code the #1 winter sport across the country and we look forward to working with the AFL Commission to extend the sport’s leadership.”
Seven will pay a 14% increase on the 2024 rights in 2025. With indexation over the term this represents a 3.6% compound annual growth rate in rights fees.
Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany said: “With the rights for the next nine years, today marks a new era in our 20-year-long relationship with the AFL as a partner of choice.”
“This extension is great news for sports fans that love Foxtel and Kayo Sports but also the AFL that relies on funding from the Foxtel Group to not only prosper at the elite level but also filter down to support their strong grass roots and community programs. It’s a game for all Australians.”
“We deliver a fan experience like no other, with no ads siren to siren at a price that all Australians can enjoy. Together with 4K on Foxtel and the endless innovation and multi-sport environment on Kayo Sports, these experiences will continue to propel the growth of the game over the next decade.”
“Through our incredible team at Fox Sports, we have no hesitation in investing in the biggest and best production capability in Australia. We will continue to bring the highest-quality analysis, shows and entertainment as well as innovation in production to record breaking audiences and in turn providing unprecedented growth to the AFL.”
In a record deal made in 2015, the AFL was to get $2.508 billion to 2022 for free-to-air and subscription television, and online streaming rights.
The deal with Seven, Foxtel and Telstra was revised in 2020, in light of the impact from COVID restrictions, and extended to the end of 2024.
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