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2025 · Big Ant Studios · Australian rules football · Simulation

AFL 26

Get ready for the future of footy with AFL 26. Feel every hit, hear every roar, and live every moment with unmatched authenticity and intensity. From the first bounce to the final siren, the action is fast, fierce, and true to the game. With lifelike gameplay, roaring crowds, expert commentary, and all the drama of real AFL, you’re not just watching the game — you’re in it. This is footy, redefined.

Released: 7 May 2025
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2 PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 Windows Xbox One Xbox Series X/S
Genres: Australian rules football Simulation Sports
Developers: Big Ant Studios
Publishers: Nacon
Series: AFL
Modes: Co-op Local multiplayer Multiplayer Single-player
Perspective: Third person Bird view / Isometric Side view
Country: Australia
Age ratings: ESRB E ACB M PEGI 3
Languages: English

About

AFL 26 is a video game based on Australian rules football league AFL, developed by Big Ant Studios and published by Nacon. It was released on 8 May 2025 on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox One and Xbox Series X. This is the second game in a row developed by Big Ant Studios and published by Nacon in the AFL video game series.

Players say

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Development

AFL 26 was leaked on the Australian Classification Board's website on 8 April 2025, and was later announced the same day on a Big Ant Studio's Twitter post. The game was also added onto the JB Hi-Fi and EB Games Australia websites with the game cover revealed. Unlike the previous AFL video game, AFL 26 was released on the expected release date.

Reception

On release, the game received mostly negative reviews on Steam, with 33% of users giving a positive review. This has since improved to 57% of users giving a positive review as of November 1st, 2026. The game did not have as many game-breaking bugs as AFL 23 did, but still had many bugs, some causing Xbox users being unable to play the game.

Matt Sainsbury of DigitallyDownloaded.net rated the PS5 version of the game 4.5/5 stars, praising the gameplay and effort put into the game while also stating "What’s more, Big Ant’s still patching away. It’s going to be fascinating to see where this one ends up in a year."

Releases by platformdates and regions as published

Platform	Released	Regions
Windows	8 May 2025	Worldwide
PlayStation 5	8 May 2025	Worldwide
PlayStation 4	8 May 2025	Worldwide
Xbox One	8 May 2025	Worldwide
Xbox Series X/S	8 May 2025	Worldwide
Nintendo Switch 2	7 April 2026	Worldwide