How the AFL Wildcard Finals work

Since 2026, ten clubs make the AFL finals. The top six go straight into Finals Week 1. Seventh plays 10th and 8th plays 9th in the two Wildcard Finals, and the two winners join the top six.

The first Wildcard Finals, 2026

Western Bulldogs (8th) v Collingwood (9th): Western Bulldogs won 14.12 (96) to 14.9 (93).
Melbourne (7th) v Carlton (10th): Carlton won 10.14 (74) to 7.13 (55).

What it means for the ladder

Finishing in the top six avoids an extra knockout game. Seventh and eighth host their Wildcard Final, so the race for those spots matters too.

Questions

What are the AFL Wildcard Finals?

Two play-off games between the clubs that finish 7th to 10th: 7th plays 10th and 8th plays 9th. The winners go through to Finals Week 1.

When did the AFL introduce the Wildcard Finals?

In 2026, when the finals expanded from a top eight to a top ten.

How many teams make the AFL finals now?

Ten. The top six go straight into Finals Week 1 and 7th to 10th play the Wildcard Finals.