<h2>AFL Reveals Seven Rule Changes for 2026 - Three Point Summary:&nbsp;</h2> <p>-Seven new AFL rule changes will be introduced for the 2026 season to reduce match length by approximately three minutes</p> <p>-Dead time will be targeted through faster kick-ins, modified ruck nominations, and streamlined centre ball-up contests</p> <p>-The last disposal rule from AFLW will be adopted, awarding free kicks when the ball crosses the boundary from deliberate disposals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The AFL has announced seven significant rule changes for the 2026 season designed to eliminate dead time and restore excitement to matches across Australia.</p> <p>The biggest changes will see the introduction of the ‘Last Disposal’ rule between the 50m arcs, awarding a free kick from deliberate disposals instead of a boundary throw in.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Major Rule Overhaul Targets Game Flow</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The AFL rule changes 2026 represent the most comprehensive reform package in recent years, directly addressing concerns about increasingly lengthy matches. Research revealed that ball-in-play time dropped to just 62.9 per cent in 2025, down from 65.4 per cent in 2019, while total match duration increased by almost five minutes over six seasons.</p> <p>The new regulations focus on eliminating delays that have crept into the modern game. Kick-in times will align with general play, reducing from 12 seconds to eight seconds. This change alone could save 21 seconds per match, considering the average 21 kick-ins taken per game in 2025.</p> <p>Ruck nominations will operate under AFLW rules, allowing umpires to restart play immediately if nominated players are too far away. Last season, delays from waiting rucks averaged 3.5 seconds for ball-ups and one second for boundary throw-ins across ten instances per game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Centre Contest Revolution and Boundary Changes</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The centre ball-up rule changes aim to restore spectacular ruck contests by preventing players from crossing the centre line before engaging opponents. Only 21 per cent of centre contests featured jumping rucks in 2025, dramatically down from 63 per cent in 2023.</p> <p>The last disposal rule, successfully implemented in AFLW, will award free kicks when players deliberately move the ball across boundary lines between the arcs. AFL analysis suggests this would have resulted in 3.25 additional free kicks per game in 2025 while reducing boundary throw-ins by three per match.</p> <p>Goalsquare starting positions under the 6-6-6 rule will be relaxed, removing the requirement for one player per team to occupy the square. This addresses the final component causing post-goal delays, which occurred in 10 per cent of restarts and cost 8-10 seconds per instance.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Tackling and Stand Rule Enforcement</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Player behaviour modifications include treating shrugging as prior opportunity, similar to fending or evasion attempts. This change addresses safety concerns while providing clearer adjudication guidelines for umpires.</p> <p>The stand rule will be more strictly enforced within the protected area. Players within five metres of marks or free kicks must remain stationary and cannot retreat to "outside five" positions. In 2025, only 58 per cent of players complied with stand directions, while 18 per cent moved to outside positions.</p> <p>These new AFL rules 2026 follow extensive consultation with all 18 clubs, players, coaches, and umpiring departments. The League expects the combined changes to restore approximately three minutes of ball-in-play time per match while maintaining the contest's integrity at boundary throw-ins and around-the-ground stoppages.</p> <p>Implementation begins immediately, with umpires conducting club visits throughout summer and pre-season to ensure smooth adoption of the revolutionary changes that promise to enhance spectacle for AFL fans nationwide.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>The Seven Rule Changes for AFL 2026</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>- Last Disposal out of bounds between the 50m arcs</p> <p>- Changes to the goal square starting position in the 6-6-6 rule for a quarter/ goal restart</p> <p>- Aligned kick-in times after a behind is scored</p> <p>- Changes to the ruck nomination&nbsp;</p> <p>- Changes to ruck contests and positioning</p> <p>- Shrugging in the tackle and tweak to the holding the ball rule</p> <p>- Harsher restrictions and implementation of the stand rule</p>