If there is one thing Australians love more than a public holiday, it is travelling across the country to watch thirty-six people chase a piece of leather around a grassy oval. With the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership season just weeks away, Virgin Australia has confirmed it will remain the “wings” beneath the AFL’s feet, extending its partnership through to 2030.
This looks to be a massive commitment to the AFL and AFLW clubs, their staff, and (most importantly) the fans who keep the turnstiles clicking.
Why This Matters for the Fans
The numbers don’t lie: we are a nation obsessed. In 2025, club memberships soared past 1.3 million, and over half a million of us hopped on a plane to support our teams in away games.
Whether it’s heading to Adelaide for Gather Round or making the pilgrimage for the Finals Series, interstate footy travel has become a staple of the Australian sporting diet.
The Hot Tip: Virgin Australia has launched a massive sale with fares starting at $49 one-way to major away-game cities. If you want in, you’ll need to move faster than a small forward in a goal square; the sale ends at 11:00pm AEST on Saturday, 7 February 2026.
The Tall Timber Gets a Break
It isn’t just the fans getting the perks. If you’ve ever wondered how a two-metre-tall ruckman fits into a standard aeroplane seat, the answer is: not very comfortably.
Geelong Cats Captain Patrick Dangerfield noted that nearly half of his teammates stand over six-foot-two. “The whole team loves travelling with Virgin Australia. They’re reliable, friendly, and the airline’s Economy X seating is ideal for our team, especially with nearly half of our players being over six foot two!” he said.
Fortunately, the new agreement ensures players get priority access to Economy X, which offers extra legroom and dedicated locker space. Because let’s be honest, no one wants a grumpy, cramped midfielder running onto the field after a four-hour flight.
Looking Toward 2030
By the time this contract reaches its conclusion, Virgin and the AFL will have been partners for nearly two decades. In that time, they’ve moved over 183,000 seats worth of players and staff and over 3,600 tonnes of cargo, mostly consisting of boots, jumpers, and presumably, a lot of sports tape.
As AFL CEO Andrew Dillon noted, 2026 is already looking massive. Between a sold-out AFL Origin, the Community Series, and the opening of the home and away season, the demand for travel is expected to grow by double digits.
So, if you’re planning to follow your team to victory (or provide moral support during a “rebuilding year”), it seems your flight path is well and truly cleared.
