The AFL has announced a new VFL broadcast agreement, which will see Smithy’s VFL matches broadcast by Kayo SPORTS, ABC, the Seven Network and SEN throughout the 2026 season.
Under the expanded broadcast deal, at least 53 Smithy’s VFL matches will be broadcast across the four networks, with more matches to be confirmed once scheduling for Rounds 14 to 21 is confirmed.
Kayo SPORTS will broadcast 16 matches across the opening 13 rounds of the Smithy’s VFL home and away season, with at least one match each round of the regular season to be broadcast throughout the first portion of the season.
A number of Kayo SPORTS’ VFL broadcast games will be curtain-raisers to AFL matches, allowing supporters to watch both their VFL and AFL teams back-to-back on the platform.
In addition, Kayo SPORTS will broadcast Smithy’s VFL finals coverage.
The ABC will broadcast one match each round of the Smithy’s VFL home and away season, along with one final in each of the first three weeks of the Smithy’s VFL Finals Series, and both preliminary finals and the Grand Final.
The ABC broadcast match will generally commence at 12:05pm each Saturday of the regular season, with coverage available on the network’s main channel in Victoria and via ABC iview nationally. Matches will also be simulcast on ABC Radio and available on ABC Listen.
With the introduction of Tasmania into the VFL in 2026, all Tasmania home games will be broadcast on the Seven Network and 7plus Sport nationally, while SEN Tasmania will broadcast all home and away matches on radio and on the SEN app.
All Smithy’s VFL and VFLW matches will continue to be streamed live and free on AFL platforms via AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.The Smithy's VFL fixture will be updated to reflect changes in scheduling for broadcast matches where they require amended start times. Click here to view the 2026 Smithy's VFL fixture.
Collingwood's Kayo SPORTS broadcast schedule:
Round 2: Collingwood vs GWS Giants, Victoria Park, Friday 27 March, 3:00pm (previously 12:10pm)
Round 8: Sydney Swans vs Collingwood, Tramway Oval, Friday 15 May, 2:00pm
Collingwood's ABC broadcast schedule:
Round 7: Collingwood vs Geelong Cats, Victoria Park, Saturday 9 May, 12:05pm (previously 2:05pm)
Round 9: Werribee vs Collingwood, Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval, Saturday 23 May, 12:05pm (previously 1:05pm)
Round 11: Collingwood vs Casey Demons, Victoria Park, Saturday 6 June, 12:05pm (previously 1:05pm)
