Fox Footy and Kayo SPORTS have unveiled their plans for the 2026 AFL season, and while the overall structure remains largely unchanged from last year, there is one significant shake-up to the prime-time line-up.
The biggest change comes on Friday Night Footy, where Tom Hawkins will take on an expanded role, replacing Nathan Buckley in the broadcast team. Buckley is no longer part of the Friday night coverage due to coaching commitments with Geelong Football Club.
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Hawkins, who joined the Fox Footy ranks last year, will now feature alongside Garry Lyon, Jonathan Brown and Jordan Lewis as part of the Friday night panel. Commentary duties continue to be shared by Anthony Hudson, Gerard Whateley, Jason Dunstall, Garry Lyon and others.
The remainder of the on-air team closely mirrors 2025, reinforcing what the network describes as its most comprehensive AFL coverage yet.
Ken Hinkley is the other notable addition for 2026, joining the Fox Footy commentary team for the first time. The former Port Adelaide head coach will be based in Adelaide and will work alongside Mark Ricciuto and Shaun Burgoyne, adding coaching experience to the South Australian coverage.
The broader weekly schedule remains intact.
AFL360, On The Couch and AFL Tonight all return as Fox Footy maintains its established weekly programming structure. (image – Foxtel)
Programs returning in 2026 include AFL Tonight (Monday to Friday, 6pm), hosted by Ruby Schleicher, Drew Jones and David Zita; AFL360 (Monday to Wednesday, 6.30pm) with Gerard Whateley and Garry Lyon; and On The Couch (Monday, 7.30pm), hosted by Jack Riewoldt with Jonathan Brown, Nathan Buckley, Jordan Lewis and Leigh Matthews.
Thursday nights continue under Sarah Jones, joined by Jason Dunstall, David King and Leigh Montagna, while Super Saturday Live and Sunday Ticket again deliver live match coverage across the weekend.
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Speaking at the season launch, Fox Sports Managing Director Steve Crawley reflected on last year’s performance and the approach for 2026.
“Last year was massive for the Fox Footy team.
We didn’t just lift our coverage – we went all in.
We called every game across the round, welcomed great new voices like Matt Hill and Tom Hawkins, and gave the on-air look a fresh new feel.
And the fans showed up in record numbers.
“We’re up and about and ready to go again.
If 2025 was big, 2026 is shaping as our biggest yet – and we’ve got the team to bring every moment of the action live to fans right around the country.”
Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany said the company remained focused on its long-standing investment in the code.
“We are incredibly proud of the way we have continually innovated coverage of AFL, offering fans every game, every round live with week-long entertainment.
But what we are most proud of is the annual $1 billion we invest in Australian sports rights and production, making the Foxtel Group the nation’s largest individual non-Government funder of sport.
“For us it goes beyond the screen.
It’s about the partnerships and our nearly 25 year-long commitment with AFL has not only taken football to more viewers but our investment flows through the entire AFL eco-system – from the grassroots right through to the elite.
“We support the AFL and Andrew Dillon and his team in always looking at how we can bring new initiatives to life for the fans whether it is AFL Origin, Wildcard Round or continuing to support growth at all levels.”
While the faces may look familiar across much of the schedule, the shift from Nathan Buckley to Tom Hawkins on Friday nights — and the addition of Ken Hinkley — mark the key personnel changes heading into 2026.
AFL Tonight: Monday – Friday, 6pm
Hosted by Ruby Schleicher, Drew Jones and David Zita
The daily AFL news program featuring AFL reporters outlining all the latest news you need to know from around the league.
AFL360: Monday – Wednesday, 6.30pm
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Hosted by Gerard Whateley and Garry Lyon
AFL360 sets the agenda by looking at every angle of the day’s major issues in footy, three nights a week, Gerard Whateley and Garry Lyon will be joined by an unparalleled team of regular guests.
On The Couch: Monday, 7.30pm
Hosted by Jack Riewoldt with Jonathan Brown, Nathan Buckley, Jordan Lewis and Leigh Matthews
Jack Riewoldt is joined by Jonathan Brown, Nathan Buckley, Jordan Lewis and Leigh Matthews for the hugely popular On The Couch, where the expert team will weigh up the biggest issues surrounding the AFL.
Midweek Tackle: Tuesday, 7.30pm
Hosted by Lauren Wood and regular guests Jon Ralph, Scott Gullan, Josh Barnes, Glenn McFarlane and Corbin Middlemas
A panel of some of the best footy journalists in the business, dissecting the big news items from the week.
First Crack Preview: Wednesday, 7.30pm
Hosted by Ben Dixon, David King, Daniel Hoyne and Leigh Montagna
The Fox Footy expert panel will analyse the round ahead.
Thursday Night Footy: Thursday, 6.30pm
Hosted by Sarah Jones with Jason Dunstall, David King and Leigh Montagna
Commentary: Mark Howard, Matt Hill, Jack Riewoldt and others
Fox Footy’s team of expert commentators and talent bring you all the action live from the ground every Thursday night.
Friday Night Footy: Friday, 6.30pm
Hosted by Garry Lyon with Jonathan Brown, Tom Hawkins and Jordan Lewis
Commentary: Anthony Hudson, Gerard Whateley, Jason Dunstall, Garry Lyon and others
Fox Footy’s team of expert commentators and talent bring you all the action live from the ground every Friday night.
Super Saturday Live: Saturday, from 12.30pm
Fox Footy, available on Kayo SPORTS, will be the ONLY place to watch AFL exclusively live on Saturday’s nationally for at least the first 10 rounds of the home and away season* (except ANZAC game between Essendon and Collingwood)
Sunday Ticket: Sunday, from 12.30pm
Fox Footy’s team of expert commentators and talent bring you all the action live from around the grounds every Sunday.
Bounce: Sunday, after the footy
Hosted by Jason Dunstall with Andrew Gaze, Cam Mooney, Ruby Schleicher, Ben Dixon and Bernie Vince
Bounce is an entertaining, lighter look at a big week in footy. If you want some fun to finish off a big weekend of AFL action, Bounce is the show for you.
First Crack: Sunday, after Bounce
Hosted by Jay Clark, David King and Leigh Montagna
The Fox Footy expert panel will offer fans their first fix on all games and stories from the week that was.
Fox Footy’s 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season begins with AFL360 on Monday, March 2, followed by Opening Round coverage from Thursday, March 5, live on Fox Footy via Kayo SPORTS and Foxtel.
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