![\"AFL](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2b2f60cbe9ad2f853b9860b430f86137f0abffc4.jpg\")
Camera IconAFL Origin was a rousing success. Credit: Michael Willson\/AFL Photos\/AFL Photos via Getty Images<\/p>\nNot only was Optus Stadium packed for the highly-anticipated return of AFL Origin, but viewers across Australia tuned in to watch Western Australia battle Victoria on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
The historic clash was a ratings smash-hit, with nearly two million Australians tuning in on Seven and 7PLUS to watch Victoria claim a 24-point victory over Western Australia in what was the first State against State clash since 1999.<\/p>\n
The average TV audience was 843,000, which was up 34 per cent on last year\u2019s full season average, while over on 7plus Sport it was streamed by more than 182,000 viewers, up 227 per cent on the 2025 season average and 41 per cent on the finals.<\/p>\n
Channel 7 had a blockbuster ensemble of commentators led by play-by-play icons Brian Taylor and James Brashaw, with Seven\u2019s experts Kane Cornes and Luke Hodge sharing their knowledge.<\/p>\n
They were joined by Abbey Holmes and West Coast great Nic Naitanui who were on the boundary.<\/p>\n
Seven\u2019s head of AFL and Innovation, Gary O\u2019Keeffe said AFL Origin\u2019s return was a resounding success with both fans and players.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis morning\u2019s exclusive announcement on Sunrise confirming Origin will return next year is incredibly exciting,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe look forward to working closely with the AFL again to build on this momentum and make it even bigger and better in 2027.<\/p>\n
Camera IconAFL Origin was a rousing success. Credit: Michael Willson\/AFL Photos\/AFL Photos via Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cOur attention now turns to delivering an exceptional broadcast experience for the 2026 AFL Premiership Season, starting with opening night at the SCG between the Sydney Swans and Carlton on Thursday, March 5, live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seven\u2019s National Sport Sales Director, Rob Maclean, said: \u201cSeven\u2019s major events and sport this past year have delivered consistent total TV growth, fuelled by a surge in streaming audiences. The strength of the AFL Origin audience across Seven and 7plus is further evidence of the value of live sport in today\u2019s landscape.<\/p>\n
\u201c7plus is playing an increasingly important role for brands wanting to connect with footy-loving audiences. AFL Origin\u2019s streaming audience, well above the 2025 season average, highlights the scale of that opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seven\u2019s coverage of the 2025 AFL Grand Final reached 6.2 million Australians, with an average total TV audience of 4.18 million. It scored a record audience on 7plus Sport, with 985,000 streaming the match alone, up 51 per cent year-on-year.<\/p>\n
The Grand Final capped off a stellar 2025 AFL season for Seven, which reached 17.4 million Australians, including 4.4 million on 7plus Sport.<\/p>\n
The 2025 full season average audience was 630,000, while an average of 1.05 million tuned in for the Finals series \u2013 up five per cent on 2024.<\/p>\n
The 2026 AFL Premiership Season begins on Thursday, 5 March, live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport, with the Sydney hosting Carlton at the SCG in what will be Charlie Curnow\u2019s first game for the Swans since crossing from the Blues.<\/p>\n
Get a FREE WA AAMI AFL Origin Guernsey worth RRP $130 when you sign up for a 12-month subscription to thewest.com.au<\/p>\n
Subscribe now from just $6 per week. T&Cs apply, limited time only.<\/p>\n