REGS

AFL Regulations · 2026 season

The Regulations

The book that governs the AFL — translated into plain English. Six thematic guides covering how the season is structured, what happens at the tribunal, and every individual award in the calendar.

The AFL Regulations are the operating manual of the competition — 139 pages of detail governing everything from the size of a guernsey number to the tie-break rules for a drawn preliminary final. The official document (updated February 2026) is the source of truth. These pages translate the sections that matter most to fans into plain English, with direct citations back to the regulation text.

For the complete regulations, read the AFL Regulations PDF — the authoritative source for everything below.

Season & Finals

How the 2026 AFL season is structured, what the top 8 really means, and the tie-break rules that decide finals matches.

Siren rules, the interchange, team sheets, footballs, and what happens when a game can't finish.

Reg 9, Reg 10, Reg 12, Reg 32, Reg 33

Umpires & Scoring

Who signals the goal, who counts the points, and what makes a score legal under Regulation 15.

Offences & Tribunal

Reportable offences, the match review panel, the tribunal, and the appeals process that decides suspensions.

Reg 16, Reg 17, Reg 19, Reg 20

Individual Awards

The Brownlow, the Coleman, the Rising Star, the Norm Smith and the All-Australian — how each is decided, and who qualifies.

Reg 21, Reg 22, Reg 23, Reg 24, Reg 25, Reg 26, Reg 27, Reg 28

Concussion protocols, the blood rule, stretchers, and the health and safety guidelines that govern an AFL game.

Reg 34, Reg 35, Reg 36, Reg 37

Complete regulations index

All 37 sections of the 2026 AFL Regulations. Each links to the official PDF.

1.General 2.Football Seasons and Competitions 3.Grounds and Venues 4.Club Colours and Uniforms 5.AFL Logo and Sponsors’ Logos Appearing on Players’ 6.AFL Commercial Operations Guidelines 7.Numbers 8.Banners, Run Throughs and Cheer Squads 9.Footballs 10.Timing & Other Arrangements 11.Announcement of Team list 12.Official Team Sheet 13.Reference to a Player’s Names 14.Cooperation and Attendance at Meetings and Education 15.Umpires and Scoring 16.Reportable Offences and Reporting Procedures 17.Suspension and Disqualification 19.Tribunal 20.Appeal from Tribunal Decision 21.Brownlow Medal 22.AFL Rising Star Award 23.Coleman Medal 24.Norm Smith Medal/ANZAC Medal 25.All Australian 26.Mark of the Year/Goal of the Year 27.Eligibility for Awards 29.Media Rights for AFL Spectacles 30.AFL Broadcaster Access Policy 31.Stadium Roofs 32.Delay in Commencement & Forfeiture of Match 33.Incomplete Match 34.Use of Stretchers 35.Medically Unfit Players 36.Bleeding and Blood Borne Infections 37.Health and Safety Guidelines 1.Conduct 2.Impact 3.Contact