2024 AFL Finals Start Date and Format

Ryan Tucker

Editor

Last updated: 08 Aug 2024

Listen

Share

Ryan Tucker 08 Aug 2024

Share this article

2024 AFL Finals start on September 5th after a bye week.
Four-week knockout tournament leading to the Grand Final on September 28th, 2:30 pm AEST.
Top 4 teams get a 'second chance' if they lose in Week 1; they need 2 wins to reach Grand Final.

Expired

(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

When and where are the AFL Finals played in 2024? Dates, Format and where to watch

When and where are the AFL Finals played in 2024? Dates, Format and where to watch
When do AFL Finals start?
How do AFL Finals work?
Week 1 - Qualifying/Elimination Finals
Week 2 - Semi Finals
Week 3 - Preliminary Finals
Week 4 - Grand Final
Where to watch the AFL Finals?

The 2024 AFL Finals are only weeks away with the regular season wrapping up with the last game being played on Sunday 25th August between the Fremantle Dockers and Port Adelaide Power, a game that could well decide top 8 placings.

With this year being one of the closest on record there are a number of teams that can still make the top 8 or even drop out. Check out our article about Top 8 AFL Odds to get the latest odds for teams to make it or break it.

Here is everything you need to know for the 2024 AFL Finals:

When do AFL Finals start?

The AFL instituted a bye week prior to finals a few years back so all teams will get a rest before Week 1 of the Finals gets underway on Thursday 5th September.

The Semi-Finals take place a week later generally taking place on a Friday and Saturday night 13th - 14th September

The Preliminary Finals are played the following week 20th - 21st September with 4 teams trying to secure a ticket to the big dance.

The 2024 AFL Grand Final is scheduled to start at 2:30pm AEST on Saturday 28th September

How do AFL Finals work?

Since the turn of the millenium the AFL has used an 8 team championship playoff structure. The top 8 teams from the regular season participate in a 4 week tournament with 2 teams eliminated in each of the first 3 weeks of the championship. This culminates in two teams remaining that compete in the Grand Final for ultimate glory.

The system is designed to reward teams that finish higher on the ladder during the regular season with the top 4 teams needing only to win 2 games to reach the Grand Final compared to 3 games for the bottom 4 teams. The top 4 teams also get a "second chance" if they lose the Qualifying Final in Week 1.

Week 1 - Qualifying/Elimination Finals

Game	Matchup
Qualifying Final 1	1st vs 4th
Qualifying Final 1	2nd vs 3rd
Elimination Final 1	5th vs 8th
Elimination Final	6th vs 7th

Week 2 - Semi Finals

Game	Matchup
Semi Final 1	Loser QF1 vs Winner EF1
Semi Final 2	Loser QF2 vs Winner EF2

Week 3 - Preliminary Finals

Game	Matchup
Preliminary Final 1	Winner QF1 vs Winner SF1
Preliminary Final 2	Winner QF2 vs Winner SF2

Week 4 - Grand Final

Game	Matchup
Grand Final	Winner PF1 vs Winner PF2

Where to watch the AFL Finals?

AFL fans that are relying on their smart phones or devices to watch their team or bets get the win over the weekend do have a number of live streaming options.

If you're willing to pay for a subscription, both Foxtel and Kayo provide smartphone apps and offer live streaming of every game of the season. Customers at Telstra will get a complementary subscription to the AFL live streaming package via the AFL.com.au app.

Broadcast rights mean no bookmakers can officially offer live streaming via their app.