{"id":513406,"date":"2026-03-02T07:13:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T07:13:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/513406\/"},"modified":"2026-03-02T07:13:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T07:13:08","slug":"andrew-dillon-reveals-afls-olympic-sized-ambitions-for-brisbane-2032-afl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/513406\/","title":{"rendered":"Andrew Dillon reveals AFL\u2019s Olympic-sized ambitions for Brisbane 2032 | AFL"},"content":{"rendered":"

On the eve of the 2026 season, the AFL<\/a> boss, Andrew Dillon, has hinted at Olympic-sized plans for the AFL while emphasising Origin and Opening Round are here to stay.<\/p>\n

Dillon was in Sydney on Monday to promote the Opening Round which includes home games for all four NSW and Queensland clubs and just one match in Victoria, a format which he says has resulted in bumper crowds for round one.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we\u2019ve found in the last couple of years is that focus on NSW and Queensland is helping to grow awareness in NSW and Queensland and at the same time it hasn\u2019t taken away from our round one,\u201d Dillon said<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last two round ones have been the two highest attended rounds we\u2019ve ever had of over 400,000 \u2013 last year 451,000 people attended, a record for round one.\u201d<\/p>\n

But looking slightly beyond the impending season, Dillon revealed he has grand ambitions for getting Australian rules football<\/a> on to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics stage.<\/p>\n

The AFL chief said he had spoken \u201cat a high level\u201d about bringing Australian rules to the Olympics with Brisbane 2032 boss, Andrew Liveris.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe reality is there\u2019s a precedent for that back in 1956 in Melbourne where Australian Rules football was an exhibition sport,\u201d Dillon said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think our sport is a sport that should be on that stage, and we\u2019ll work closely with the Olympic Committee on what form that takes.\u201d<\/p>\n

The next stage of the AFL\u2019s global plans were in the spotlight in January when Dillon travelled to India<\/a>, however he wouldn\u2019t commit to whether AFL games could be played there in a similar vein to the NRL\u2019s Las Vegas opening round.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a good way for them to start their season,\u201d Dillon said of the NRL\u2019s two matches at Allegiant Stadium. \u201cWe do things differently.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I did see in India is a whole lot of potential for our game. Nearly 10,000 boys and girls playing the game. I was fortunate to see the national championships with 10 states registered there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Close to home, Dillon said he had positive feedback from the players involved in the recent State of Origin game between Western Australia and Victoria.<\/p>\n

He suggested the concept would continue to evolve over the next three to five years, but didn\u2019t confirm an Allies team of players from Queensland and NSW would definitely feature.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe feedback was they [the players] would have preferred to extend the time in camp,\u201d Dillon said<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it is certainly here to stay in one form or another.<\/p>\n

He was also positive about the effect of the various rule changes, though some, including Melbourne ruck Max Gawn, have expressed concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we will see is changes that will speed up the game and keep the ball in motion longer, that\u2019s what our fans want, fast moving footy,\u201d Dillon said.<\/p>\n