On the brink of the 2026 season, AFL chief Andrew Dillon has shared ambitious plans for the league”s future, particularly regarding the potential inclusion of Australian rules football in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. While promoting the upcoming Opening Round in Sydney, Dillon confirmed that the Origin concept and the new format, featuring home games for all four clubs in New South Wales and Queensland, are here to stay.
Dillon noted, “What we”ve found in the last couple of years is that the focus on NSW and Queensland is helping to grow awareness in those regions, and at the same time, it hasn”t detracted from our round one.” He highlighted that the last two opening rounds have set attendance records, with over 400,000 fans attending, including a remarkable 451,000 last year.
Looking ahead, Dillon expressed his desire to see Australian rules football showcased at the Olympics, mentioning discussions with Brisbane 2032″s chief, Andrew Liveris. He pointed out the historical precedent from the 1956 Melbourne Olympics when the sport was featured as an exhibition event, stating, “I think our sport is a sport that should be on that stage, and we”ll work closely with the Olympic Committee on what form that takes.”
The AFL”s global ambitions were further discussed when Dillon visited India earlier this year, where he observed a promising interest in the sport, noting that nearly 10,000 children are currently playing. However, he refrained from confirming whether AFL matches would be staged in India, akin to the NRL”s recent opening round in Las Vegas.
Returning to domestic matters, Dillon received positive feedback from players after the recent State of Origin game between Western Australia and Victoria. He indicated that the State of Origin concept would evolve over the next few years, although he did not guarantee the inclusion of an Allies team comprising players from Queensland and NSW. “The feedback was that players would have preferred to extend the time in camp,” Dillon added, emphasizing that the concept is “certainly here to stay in one form or another.”
Regarding rule changes, Dillon remains optimistic despite some concerns from players, including Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn. He stated, “What we will see is changes that will speed up the game and keep the ball in motion longer; that”s what our fans want—fast-moving footy.”
