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Australian Rules Football Television Coverage in 2024

We have full schedules at our AFL TV schedules page.
We have weekly radio listings for the AFL at our AFL Radio page

This page will give you the basic facts you need to know about TV Coverage in the USA, Canada, and Mexico in 2024 and is expected to be similar to 2023 with all matches of the AFL and AFLW live and more on FSP, FS1 and FS2. Information will be updated as necessary throughout the 2024 season. Coverage in Canada is expected to be unchanged from last year, mostly on TSN2 and occasionally other TSN channels.

(3/13/24) Note that some matches in each round may start early and we will update those times as soon as we know them which may be the day of the match. Schedules are updated now as far out as we know them for all networks. Star+ (Latin America) does not appear to be carrying every match this year but we have no official confirmation of this. (Star+ (Latinoamérica) no parece que vaya a retransmitir todos los partidos este año, pero no tenemos confirmación oficial al respecto.). We'll post further news and updates all season long. At this stage we do not expect any major changes to the coverage in 2024 on Fox Sports US or TSN.  (4/2/23) También temenos noticias de AFL en español todas las semanas en https://www.afana.com/aflradio#1Afanaplayer, busque NEMBC. Los oradores de español y aquellos que viven en América Latina deben buscar "Star+" en Nuestros listados. 

(General notes) We anticipate TV coverage in 2024 to be similar to 2023. At this time, we have not been advised of any significant changes by the AFL. Your on-going support of AFANA by donations and volunteer time is appreciated. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS and donations. Please volunteer or donate if you can spare a few hours or dollars a month. We'll keep updating schedules as the networks release them. We URGENTLY need donations as we no longer get support from WatchAFL subscriptions. Star+: Hemos agregado horarios para América Latina. We've added schedules for Latin America. We are now on Mastodon instead of "X" formerly Twit**: See us at https://federated.press/@AusFBAssocNA aka @AusFbAssocNA[at)federated[ dot }press 

We now have our radio info available on a Google Calendar - see the radio page for details. Our schedules are free for personal use. Reuse, reposting, etc. on any other media must credit AFANA. US repeats are only on FSP. WatchAFL carries every game live and on-demand.  We exist because of generous donations from fans (donation link in upper left). We need your support. Please consider donating (link button above) if you have found our schedules useful.

There is a WatchAFL website and there are WatchAFL apps in the Android and Apple app stores that permit "casting" or Airplay to your TV. The service requires a subscription fee. For the latest schedules see the TV schedules page. See this link to subscribe to WatchAFL.

Nationwide coverage of Aussie rules in 2024 for North American fans is as follows:

US: Fox Sports

Fox Soccer Plus, Fox Sports 2, Fox Sports 1

Fox Soccer Plus

Fox Soccer Plus (nationally in the USA - for Canada see below). Primary coverage in 2024 is on Fox Soccer Plus (FSP) and this is the default (primary) channel for broadcasts of footy in the USA. FSP is the subscription counterpart to the former Fox Soccer channel and is a distinct channel. FSP carries all 9 live and tape-delayed matches on average, per week and with one to two repeats of each match. FSP is an additional charge on most cable systems.

Cable/Satellite options: On some (e.g. DirecTV) it is $14.99 per month, on others including Spectrum (former Time Warner) cable systems it is part of a package of sports channels priced at $9.99 a month (may vary slightly by area). It is available to customers of some cable companies including DirecTV, DISH, Verizon FiOS, AT&T U-verse, most former Time Warner Cable and Brighthouse systems, some Charter / Spectrum systems, Cox, Cablevision, BlueRidge, Bendbroadband, SureWest, FullChannel, Frontier, RCN Cable, and others. It is not available on many Comcast systems (see our note on Comcast on this page.). About 35% of US homes can receive FSP.

Internet delivered broadcast TV options: The channel is also available on YouTubeTV and Fubo TV. See the OTT Summary table below this section and the WatchAFL info further down this page.

General info: FSP will carry some finals live and others will be live on FS1 / FS2 or tape-delayed on FSP. FS1 (only) will have the 2024 Grand Final live. FSP has a contract running through the end of the 2024. See our TV schedules page for the latest schedules. Most matches carried on FS1, FS2, and FSP are available on the Fox Sports smartphone apps live and for a short time afterward on-demand, if you have access to those channels on your TV or streaming service. Should Fox convert FSP to another Fox channel or eliminate it, it is probable that the AFL will land on another Fox channel in the future. Based on Fox's statements, we only know that Fox has not made any decision public.

Coverage on Roku and Amazon Fire is available via subscription to the appropriate app for "over the top" or OTT services such as YouTube TV, FS1, and FS2 (see table below) are included in many packages. FSP is extra at additional cost on some services. See the OTT Summary table below.

As of Round 4, 2015, all coverage is available in HD (high-definition) on the HD versions of FSP, FS1, and FS2 regardless of the Australian source network. This applies to all cable and satellite companies which offer the station in HD including DirecTV. However, DirecTV is still known to occasionally blackout AFL coverage on its HD service for reasons unknown but all listings are good for its SD service. Any blackouts are the fault of DirecTV as the coverage is available to them in HD.

Summary of OTT Internet delivered TV options for Fox channels:

OTT Internet Service Cost/mo. FS1 FS2 Fox Soccer Plus
YouTube TV $73 Yes Yes +$11/mo Sports Extra
Fubo TV Pro $80 Yes Yes +$7/mo Int'l Sports#
Hulu TV + Live TV $70 Yes Yes Not available
Sling TV Blue $45* Yes +$11/mo Extra Not available
DirectTV Streaming Ult. $109 Yes Yes Not available
Vidgo** $70 Yes Yes Not available

Data and prices current as of June 2024 and do not reflect any promotional deals. For info on virtual DVR options by network, check this article on Tech Hive. *$56 including FS2 addon. **Vidgo appears to have suspended service as of late September, 2023.  #In some markets, a regional sports fee may also be assessed. 

Fox Sports 2

Fox Sports 2 (FS2) (nationally in USA by satellite and cable, debuted on 8/17/13 and was formerly Fuel TV). This year, FS2 is expected to carry one or more live matches per week. Fox Soccer 2 is a sports channel that is included in some extended cable packages and is part of an extra fee sports tier in others. FS2 reaches 48% of US homes during 2020. Coverage on Fox Soccer 2 consists of mostly live matches with few repeats. Repeats are unusual on FS2, so check FSP. FS2 is in many online services such as SlingTV, Fubo, and YouTube TV. Matches on FS2 are also carried on the Fox Sports apps.

Fox Sports 1

Fox Sports 1 (FS1) Occasionally, one AFL game per week is live on Fox Sports 1. FS1 is widely available and reaches 68% of US homes in 2020 (as compared to ESPN2 which reaches 70%). FS1 and FS2 are available on many services where FSP is not (for example on Sling TV, etc.)

Canada: TSN

TSN1, TSN2, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5

TSN Canada (primarily TSN2, but occasionally TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5, TSN.ca, and TSN On-Demand) (nationally in Canada) carries two matches per week, primarily on TSN2; with one live and the other delayed most weeks. Highlight programs are sometimes available on TSNs online services. TSN2 is available on most cable and satellite systems in Canada. The matches aired on TSN2, and occasionally on other TSN channels, may be different than those aired in the USA. TSN has a contract running through the 2024 season. Coverage of the Grand Final will be live on one of the TSN channels (TBA). Coverage from TSN is also available for live streaming via tsn.ca/live and the TSN mobile app and on-demand viewing (at TSN on-Demand for the previous round) to TSN subscribers only .

RDS Canada (RDS2, RDS1) French language coverage in Canada was on “RDS2” and has been discontinued. La couverture dans la langue française pour le Canada est sur “RDS2”. We encourage fans to contact them. Nous encourageons les supporters à les contacter.

Mexico and Latin America - México y América Latina: Star+

Star Plus: La cobertura ha regresado en América Latina a través de Star+. Hemos agregado horarios para América Latina. Star+ está disponible en Brasil, México, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Perú, Uruguay, Ecuador, Panamá, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Bolivia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, República Dominicana, El Salvador, Honduras y Venezuela.

Coverage has returned in Latin America on Star+. We've added schedules for Latin America. Star+ is available in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Bolivia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras and Venezuela.

World including US and Canada except inside Australia: Internet

WatchAFL

Internet coverage: There is live and delayed (on-demand) coverage of all matches of every round via the WatchAFL service (officially it was referred to as WatchAFL Global Pass in the past and is a partnership between the AFL and Fox Sports Australia). There are also Android and Apple apps in their respective app stores that are free (though not very useful without a subscription) and permit "casting" or use of Airplay to a TV or use the service directly. This is a subscription service for video and fans can sign up here. Subscriptions can be by week, month, finals only, Grand Final only, or annual (A$229/~US$145/~CAN$202 for the entire year [12 consecutive months]; monthly payments of A$44/~US$28/~CAN$38; or one week only at A$24/~US$15/~CAN$21 for the "regular" season; finals are $94 for the month; and $46 for the Grand Final only. The prices went up 15 to 25% in 2023 and further rises in 2024 are possible). Some AFL clubs offer overseas or international memberships which include or offer reduced price WatchAFL subscriptions, and we recommend you consider these options#. All matches of every round are available live as well as coverage of special events such as award ceremonies, the draft, etc. Reports indicate the service works on Windows and non-Windows PC's including Macs and Linux machines now as well as mobile devices including many smartphones, Android tablets, and the iPad™. An Android app is here and an Apple app here. There is also an AppleTV app. See our main article from 2017 on internet coverage for some useful but dated user comments. (Note: AFANA no longer receives any revenue made through links to WatchAFL from our site so please consider a monthly donation to this site.) In addition, see the Fox Sports apps in the app stores. Canadian fans can also get the TSN coverage either via live streaming or on-demand viewing via tsn.ca/live and the TSN mobile app. # We consider the subscription to be very expensive in comparison to most other sports. By comparison: NBA League Pass US$99/yr; NHL Power Play US$100/yr; EPL annual CAN$199/yr; NFL Sunday Ticket US$349/yr. A year of Fox Soccer Plus for the AFL is US$84 to $180 in addition to your cable/satellite/OTT subscription. WatchNRL, the rugby counterpart to WatchAFL is priced the same as WatchAFL.

Other Internet Coverage

Some fans are connecting their computers to their televisions to watch the matches from the online services on a bigger screen or using features such as Google Chromecast or Apple Airplay. (Sorry, we cannot offer technical advice on how to do this but feel free to ask for assistance from other fans in our discussion forums by clicking on the "Forum" button on the top bar and follow the links. There is extensive help available by searching the Internet.) We suggest using Chromecast and Airplay as these are easier options than trying to connect devices using wires or cables. "OTT" internet coverage is available via SlingTV, fuboTV, and YouTube TV as part of their feeds of broadcast channels (see above). WatchAFL is also on AppleTV.

There is some access available on TSN apps for Canadian fans and Fox Sports apps for US fans. The AFL app has radio coverage (but see our radio page first) and some TV coverage for special events. 

The AFL has a YouTube channel [not the same as YouTube TV] with selected match highlights, interviews, and other short segment videos (but not full matches or TV programs). [The full YouTube TV service has all of the FS1, FS2, and FSP matches.] During the preseason some games are available only via afl.com.au and the AFL smartphone apps and these will be listed on our schedules with "afl.com.au" as the network. These games may also be linked via some club websites and use AFL media video and AFL Nation audio.

Satellite: ABC Australia

Fans on the extreme west coast of North America and in Hawaii may be able to access the Australian Broadcasting Company's ABC Australia (herein referred to as ABCA, formerly Australia Plus and before that Australia Network; ABC Australia was launched on July 1, 2018, as yet another rebrand) ABCA TV provides live coverage of 5 or more AFL games per week. The games are available "free to air" (FTA) on the Intelsat-18 satellite however a large (4 ft +) pointable dish and a clear western horizon are required. Reception west of the Rocky mountains may be possible but difficult due to the low angle of the satellites on the horizon and the weak signal. Access in Hawaii may be possible with 1.5 to 3 ft diameter dishes. For more information see the A+ TV web site. As far as we know, the ABCA is not available on any US or Canadian cable or satellite system nor is distribution planned. Some ABCA content including AFL coverage is geoblocked in the USA or Canada.

Other Footy Competitions

AFLW: Women's League

AFLW (Women) matches that are televised via any of the networks are listed under that network on our schedule pages. We list every available match. FSP will air all AFLW matches either live or tape-delayed. WatchAFL will carry all AFLW matches live and on-demand.

Preseason (formerly JLT Community Series)

We also list any matches for the preseason competitions under the individual network. All US coverage, if it occurs is on WatchAFL and sometimes FSP.

SANFL, WAFL, VFL, VFLW

The afl.com.au website provides free coverage of these leagues. We do not list those matches here, primarily due to the sheer number of matches listings per week that would add to our volunteer staff and the need to then track changes to those schedules. To find the listings, go to the AFL website and search for the league you are interested in. The AFL site typically posts an article each week with the listings. These matches may also be available on the AFL and/or WatchAFL smartphone apps.

International Cup

AFL International Cup matches that available via afl.com.au (go to their YouTube feed to watch) and will be listed in that section on our TV schedule page. Schedules for the next cup in 2024 are not yet available. 

USAFL Tournaments

The National Championships and some other competitions will be listed when we have information on them. Check for listings with the network as YouTube or usafl.com near the bottom of our TV schedules page. 

Common Questions and Answers

A few words answering some of the most common questions we get:

  • There isn't any coverage on Bally Sports Nets, any ESPN outlet, or any regional sports network in 2024. Coverage on MHz Network and its affiliates ended on July 7, 2012, for undisclosed reasons. Anyone or any website that tells you coverage is on ESPN in 2024 is misinformed. Contrary to some reports in the press the service is not on ESPN and hasn't been since the 2011 season.

  • The coverage schedules on FSP, FS2, FS1, and the TSN networks are the same everywhere in the USA and Canada respectively. There are no regional feeds of those channels. In other words, you get the same programs at the same times (adjusted for your time zone) regardless of what state, province, or city you live in. Asking us whether it is on in Los Angeles is the same as asking us whether it is on in Boulder City or Boston. If you get one of the networks, you'll get the coverage. If you want to see our listings given in your local time, register at this site, log in, then set your preferred time zone in your profile. All times will then automatically adjust.

  • AFANA does not track which bars, pubs, hotels, or local cable companies carry these channels. It's a logistical impossibility across the breadth of the continent given our limited resources. There are over 20,000 cable franchise areas in the US alone. As a result, we can't tell you what establishment in your area will have which channel. Your best bet is to ask the establishment or carrier directly for the specific channel you are interested in. There are some other TV websites which offer channel specific listings by cable or satellite provider and locality but which may or may not be current or accurate. If you are visiting North America, understand that most US sports bars carry FS1 and FS2 and some soccer-friendly establishments carry FSP. Canadian bars usually carry TSN1 and TSN2 (and often TSN3/4/5). Often pub and restaurant managers will be happy to put the games up on a TV for you if you ask politely and explain you are visiting or in a group. Buying food and drink helps, too. 

  • Our TV schedules are complete as far out as we know them. We do not withhold any confirmed programming information. If we have a source we cannot confirm, we will either not publish it or indicate on the listing notes it is questionable. We update our schedules very frequently, often several times per day. We pride ourselves on completeness and accuracy and our primary sources are the programming departments of the respective networks and we use multiple sources whenever possible. We do not get our schedules solely from either the AFL or from third party TV schedule services as do most on-screen guides and other websites. We usually carry the schedules out one or two months whereas most TV websites only offer 7 to 14 days. 

  • Fox Soccer Plus is the primary channel for the sport in the USA. Contrary to the expectations of some viewers, it is on FSP that all games will appear by default, not FS1 or FS2. If FSP has a live schedule conflict, the match will roll up to FS2 then FS1. In 2024, we expect the Grand Final to be on FS1.

  • If you have to choose between subscribing to WatchAFL and Fox Soccer Plus then your primary considerations should be these:
    • If you want to watch all the games of one club live or on-demand or watch via a smartphone, laptop, or with "casting"/Airplay to a TV, then get WatchAFL. 
    • If you want to see almost all matches live each week or save matches to a DVR/Virtual DVR then choose FSP.
    • The monthly cost for WatchAFL is now substantially higher than FSP if you already have a subscription to a cable/satellite/OTT service (over a 12 month subscription) but you need a DVR/Virtual DVR for the equivalent of "on-demand" with FSP.
    • It may not be possible to watch FSP on a portable device or away from your residence.
    • You can save with an Internet OTT subscription to FSP (see table above) if you already use OTT TV since WatchAFL is not cheap.
    • Remember, your preferences and financial considerations are yours only and "your mileage may vary". What's the best solution for you may not be the best solution for someone else. 
    • Some AFL clubs offer overseas memberships which include or offer discounted WatchAFL subscriptions and we suggest checking in to these if you follow a specific club (go to the club website and check out overseas or international memberships). 
       
  • "I have Comcast [cable] and don't get FS2 or FSP". This comes up regularly. For various reasons, Comcast and Fox don't get along. It's unlikely that will change in the foreseeable future. If you are living in a Comcast area and don't get one or more of the Fox channels, your only choice in the near future is to seek alternative sources for the coverage, change providers, or wait (perhaps for years). Complaining here won't help you. With the advent of online sources ranging from WatchAFL to SlingTV, fubo TV, YouTube TV, etc. there are options, sometimes with greater or lesser cost. The situation with Comcast is not likely to change soon so you have to decide where footy fits in your personal priorities and finances. You can read info on Comcast on this issue here. We list your options earlier on this page. (Addendum: This article illustrates how bad it is between the companies.)

  • We welcome reports by e-mail or our contact pages or Mastodon of any broadcasting errors or glitches you see on-air. We can reach staff at the networks at most times of the day or night though the response may not always happen until "business hours" at the particular network. Stuff happens and usually it is a slip-up or technical problem and not deliberate. The networks are not out to "get you".

Bypassing Geo-Restrictions

The cost of subscribing to WatchAFL, Fox Soccer Plus, and other online options is higher than we'd like. However, we don't recommend using VPNs and other ways to get around geographic restrictions in order to stream AFL coverage directly from Australian sources. Yes, we know how to do that and could provide those instructions here. We have several reasons for not providing the info and this position: a) It's illegal by copyright law in the USA, Canada, and Australia and we would permanently damage our credibility with the AFL and networks if we endorsed it. We need their cooperation to lobby to improve TV coverage, get schedule info before other sites, and promote the sport; b) the combined cost of a good VPN subscription and a subscription to the Australian based networks own streaming options won't save you much money over the course of a year; c) our experience with free VPNs is that they are unreliable (so expect to pay for a good VPN subscription such as ExpressVPN or NordVPN) because streaming sources are constantly working to block them. We have actively fought on behalf of fans for better AFL coverage since 1995. Back then we barely got one hour of highlights per week (yes, really!). We hope that since that time we've earned your support and trust (and a modest donation or two).

Miscellaneous Links

To get DirecTV check out this link:
DirecTV

To get DISH Network check out this link:
DISH

To get Free to Air satellite search for FTA or "free to air satellite" search on the internet for FTA satellite info.
An FTA system installed will cost about $200 or so.

To get Roku check out this link
Roku

Article last changed on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 - 6:32 PM EDT


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