Eddie McGuire’s weekly edition of “Footy Classified” will not be returning in 2027, Nine has confirmed.
The confirmation follows reports that the Monday edition would remain while Nine would expand “Footy Furnace” as it shifts more focus to digital platforms. In a statement to Mediaweek, a Nine spokesperson confirmed the cancellation while outlining the network’s remaining AFL programs.
“The Tuesday edition of Footy Classified will not return next year. However, our dedication to comprehensive AFL coverage continues strong in 2027 with The Sunday Footy Show, the 21st season of Monday’s Footy Classified, Footy Furnace, Players, and our support for the My Room Telethon.”
The decision brings an end to McGuire’s second weekly edition of the long-running AFL panel show, while the original Monday program will continue. Sam McClure, meanwhile, hosts the Monday edition of “Footy Classified”, alongside panellists Matthew Lloyd, Jimmy Bartel and Damian Barrett.
McGuire began hosting a second weekly edition in 2020, initially on Wednesdays. It moved to Tuesdays two years ago to avoid competing directly with Seven’s “The Front Bar”. “Footy Classified” launched in 2007 after being commissioned during McGuire’s tenure as Nine chief executive. McGuire’s JAM TV produces both “Footy Classified” and “Footy Furnace.”
The late-night review program brought James Hird back to television before he also joined McGuire on Tuesday’s “Footy Classified.”
The Tuesday edition, featuring McGuire alongside Hird and Cal Twomey, had recorded audience growth in 2026. According to figures released by Nine, the program’s broadcast video on demand (BVOD) viewership increased 27% year-on-year, while its total TV audience reached 154,000.
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Nine also reported that “Footy Classified” was the highest-rating AFL program on both Monday and Tuesday nights across all networks.
The changes come amid growing competition in AFL television coverage, with Seven expanding “The Agenda Setters” to three nights a week in 2026. The rival program features former “Footy Classified” panellists Caroline Wilson and Kane Cornes.
Despite the cancellation, McGuire is expected to maintain a presence at Nine, including hosting the network’s Melbourne Cup Carnival coverage and contributing to special football broadcasts.
Nine’s “Sunday Footy Show”, featuring Tony Jones, Matthew Lloyd, Nathan Brown and Damian Barrett, will also return in 2027.
From Mediaweek