<h2>AFL Confirms Wildcard Round in Massive 2026 Finals Shakeup - Three Point Summary:&nbsp;</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>-The AFL has introduced a 'Wildcard Finals Round' from 2026, creating an extra weekend of September action</p> <p>-Teams finishing 7th-10th will battle for the final two spots, while the top six advance automatically</p> <p>-It’s the Biggest finals format change in 25 years, allowing more clubs to host home finals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The AFL has announced it will be introducing a revolutionary wildcard finals system starting in 2026, marking the most significant September shake-up in a quarter-century.</p> <p>The Wildcard Weekend, scheduled to take place in the weekend of the current pre-finals bye round, will see teams finishing from seventh - tenth place, playing off for the final two positions in the top eight.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Major Finals Format Overhaul Changes AFL Landscape</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The AFL finals series will undergo its most dramatic transformation since 2000, with the League confirming a new wildcard round that adds an extra week of high-stakes football to September. This groundbreaking change replaces the traditional pre-finals bye and fundamentally alters how teams qualify for the business end of the season.</p> <p>Under the new system, only the top six teams on the ladder will automatically advance to the main finals series. The remaining four spots will be contested through knockout matches between teams finishing seventh through tenth, creating unprecedented drama for clubs on the finals bubble.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>How the Wildcard Round Works</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The wildcard finals format introduces a fascinating new dynamic to September football. Seventh-placed teams will face tenth, while eighth will battle ninth in what promises to be must-win encounters. These matches will determine the final two participants in the traditional eight-team finals system.</p> <p>Teams finishing in the coveted top six positions will enjoy a well-earned bye week while the wildcard battles unfold. This creates a significant advantage for consistent performers throughout the home and away season, rewarding excellence with both rest and guaranteed finals participation.</p> <p>The winners of the wildcard matches join the top six for the main finals series, where the familiar McIntyre system continues. This ensures the traditional finals structure remains intact while adding extra layers of excitement and opportunity.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Enhanced Opportunities for Clubs and Fans</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>AFL CEO Andrew Dillon emphasised the fan-focused benefits of the wildcard round, highlighting increased opportunities for clubs to host home finals. Under this system, all teams reaching the top eight will guarantee their supporters at least one home final, delivering September football to more venues across Australia.</p> <p>"We're thrilled to deliver fans an extra weekend of finals footy, while giving more clubs and players the opportunity to play finals footy and win a Premiership," Dillon explained. The change reflects the League's commitment to evolving the competition structure, building on recent innovations like Gather Round and AFL Origin.</p> <p>The wildcard round also creates additional pathways to premiership success. Teams that might have previously missed finals altogether now have extra chances to extend their seasons and make unexpected September runs. This increased accessibility could fundamentally change how clubs approach list management and season planning.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Impact on AFL Betting Markets</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The introduction of wildcard finals will create new betting opportunities and market dynamics. Punters will have additional matches to analyse, with the elimination-style format likely producing competitive odds and exciting wagering scenarios. Teams finishing seventh through tenth will face sudden-death pressure, potentially creating value betting opportunities on underdogs with everything to play for.</p> <p>The extended finals series also means more time for form analysis and betting preparation between the wildcard round and traditional finals. This could benefit punters who carefully study team momentum and injury reports during the crucial bye week for top-six teams.</p> <p>Starting in 2026, this revolutionary finals format promises to deliver more September excitement while maintaining the competitive integrity that makes AFL finals football so compelling. The biggest finals shake-up in 25 years ensures Australian football continues evolving while preserving its thrilling September traditions.</p> <p><br /> &nbsp;</p>