The season timing of the NAB AFLW Competition will remain in its current timeslot on the football calendar indefinitely – between August and November – as the AFL Commission ratified the decision on Thursday

The 2025 AFLW Premiership Cup can be seen during the 2025 NAB AFL Women’s Season Launch at CIEL on August 05, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos

The season timing of the NAB AFLW Competition will remain in its current timeslot on the football calendar indefinitely – between August and November – as the AFL Commission ratified the decision on Thursday.

Providing certainty and clarity for fans, players and clubs around the future of the competition, the AFL Commission approved this key priority that aligns with the new AFLW Growth Strategy.

The milestone 10th season kicks off next week on Thursday 14 August, with the 12-round home and away season marking the longest since the league began in 2017. It will also be the first time AFLW launches during the men’s home and away fixture – coinciding with Rounds 23 and 24 of the Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

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The clarity around season timing was also discussed at the second AFLW Competition Committee meeting held last week, along with the AFLW Growth Strategy, game analysis and a recap of the new AFLW rules and interpretations for the 2025 season.

New rules around ball up positions near the boundary and stricter umpire interpretations around holding the ball are set to be implemented this season to support more free-flowing football and higher scoring. The AFL will monitor key metrics around scoring, margins, stoppages and transition with a view to provide the AFLW Laws of the Game Committee insights for any future changes.

AFL Executive General Manager of Football Operations Laura Kane said she was pleased to provide certainty and consistency for fans, players and clubs around the timings of the season. 

“On the verge of the milestone 10th season, it was the right time to review the AFLW competition and solidify our plan for the best way to grow the league as we strive to make AFLW a top five sport in Australia,” Kane said.

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“We have a robust strategy that we’re incredibly proud of – that all stakeholders across the industry have helped shape – and it’s important we put all our efforts into producing compelling football, driving attendances and investing in our players to achieve our vision of success for the league.

“As we’ve established the competition across the first nine seasons, there has been a lot of change which has created debate around the timing of the season and its position, so providing consistency and a clear way forward for fans, players and clubs is important as we look to grow the game.

“It’s pleasing we’re now able to analyse and learn from the data we’ve captured and have made an informed decision to keep the NAB AFLW Season in its current timeframe on the calendar to help build fandom and grow attendances, which the AFL Commission approved.

“For the first time, we’re heading into a 12-round season – our longest since the league began – and our focus must be on maintaining consistency for fans so they can create traditions and connect with their team.”

The 2025 NAB AFLW Season kicks off on Thursday 14 August at IKON Park between Carlton and Collingwood.