The Australian Football League (AFL) remains Australia’s top-tier professional competition for Australian rules football. Originally founded in 1896 as the Victorian Football League (VFL), it was rebranded in 1990 to reflect a national expansion across states. Today the AFL comprises 18 teams from five Australian mainland states, with a nineteenth team from Tasmania planned for 2028. The league’s unique blend of athleticism, tradition and wide-scale fan engagement makes it a significant cultural institution—offering readers clear experience, expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) in sports-league analysis.

What sets the AFL apart includes its distinctive game format, strong attendance and deep community roots. Matches are played on large oval fields with 18 players per side, and the scoring system awards six points for a goal (ball kicked between central posts) and one point for a behind (ball passing between outer posts).  In 2023 alone, the league recorded over 7 million spectators across the home-and-away season. The league’s evolution—from regional Victorian roots to nationwide competition—illustrates its growth in both scale and sporting identity. The governance, statistics and historical record provide strong authoritativeness for anyone exploring major sports leagues beyond the more globally familiar ones.

For analysts, fans or newcomers looking to understand what makes a major league impactful, the AFL offers valuable benchmarks. Consider these:

1. Experience — The AFL’s seasonal rhythm (March to September) and grand final spectacle are embedded in Australian sporting culture.

2. Expertise — Recognising the league’s rule modifications, team expansions and strategic governance helps identify how a local league attains global prominence.

3. Authoritativeness — Official league documentation and data (such as revenue figures and attendance) verify its status as a major competition.

4. Trustworthiness — Transparent reporting of structure, teams and history ensures reliability for research and discussion.

In short, the AFL is far more than a national sports competition—it exemplifies how sport can integrate tradition, scale and community impact. Whether you’re studying league models, exploring sports culture, or simply broadening your knowledge of athletic competitions, the AFL stands as a credible and insightful subject.