The 2025 AFL Grand Final has taken the crown as the most-watched program of 2025 so far, with the Seven Network’s coverage reaching more than 6.1 million Australians across broadcast and streaming.
Saturday’s clash, which saw the Brisbane Lions beat the Geelong Cats to claim the Premiership, pulled a national total TV audience of 4.08 million, an increase on last year, while 969,000 tuned in via 7plus Sport, up 48% year-on-year.
The post-match presentations also pulled a crowd, reaching 5.5 million viewers, while the pre-game show attracted 3.9 million viewers nationally.
With these figures, the AFL has outperformed the NRL’s 2025 State of Origin decider, which drew in 5.7 million viewers, cementing its status as the year’s highest-rating event.
The broadcast powered Seven to an 81.1% share of commercial audiences between 6am and 6pm. In live streaming, 7plus had a 90.9% share, and it was first in BVOD with an 86.7% audience share.
Seven’s Head of AFL and Sport Innovation, Gary O’Keeffe, said the results confirmed footy’s dominance as “Australia’s favourite winter sport”. He praised the network’s 12 hours of live coverage spanning from Weekend Sunrise through to 7NEWS.
“We want to thank every viewer who has joined us across the season. From the opening bounce at the SCG, right through to the Grand Final post-match celebrations, Australians have embraced Seven and 7plus in record numbers. As we continue with a stellar AFLW season and Finals Series, we also look forward to returning earlier in February for AFL Origin, live and free on Seven and 7plus.”
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Chris Jones, Seven’s Director of Sport, said it was “a fitting end” to an incredibly 2025 season.
“With a seven-day of the week strategy, we were bold in our ambitions for AFL coverage in 2025 and we’re thrilled to have delivered the biggest and best moments, including yesterday’s historic AFL Grand Final live and free to all Australians on Seven and 7plus Sport, your home of footy,” he said.
The ratings triumph now sets the stage for a blockbuster summer on Seven, which includes the Bathurst 1000, Spring Racing Carnival, AFLW Finals, and a home Ashes series.