when does afl free agency start

The AFL men’s free agency period typically starts in the first week of October, opening on the Friday morning after the season finishes.

Key dates and pattern

• In recent seasons, the AFL has scheduled free agency to open on a Friday in early October (for example, 4 October in 2024 and 3 October in 2025).

• The window usually runs for about one week, closing on the following Friday evening before the main trade period finishes.

What to expect for upcoming seasons

• The AFL has not yet published exact 2026 free agency dates, but based on the last few years, fans can expect it to begin in the first week of October again, on a Friday morning.

• Official confirmation normally drops closer to the season’s end via the AFL’s key dates hub and club announcements, so checking those around August–September will give the precise “when does AFL free agency start” answer for that year.

Quick Scoop style takeaway

• Free agency start (recent trend): first Friday of October, morning AEST.

• Runs for: roughly 7 days, overlapping with the early part of the trade period.

• Where to watch for latest news: AFL.com.au’s key-dates page plus major outlets like ESPN’s AFL offseason FAQ and trackers.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.