- With AFL fan travel tipped to grow in the double digits over the next five years, Virgin Australia and AFL have renewed its 14-year partnership for another 5 years, inked to one of the largest sporting partnerships in the country.
- The multi-million dollar deal will see AFL players, coaches and support staff travel exclusively on Virgin Australia, while underpinning a significant new opportunity for the airline to capture a greater share of the fast-growing fan travel market.
- More than half a million AFL fans travelled interstate for matches in 2025, with overall fan attendance at AFL games growing by almost a quarter since 2022.
- Launching less than one month before the 2026 season kick-off, the partnership is set to reinforce the airline's foothold in major sporting and event travel.
- To celebrate, Virgin Australia has released sale fares for fans from $49* one-way for selected travel dates here from 10:00am AEST until 11:00pm AEST Saturday 7 February 2026.
- Last year, Virgin Australia added more flights to its schedule than any other airline to support AFL fans travelling at key moments throughout the season, including AFL Gather Round and the 2025 AFL Toyota Final Series.
Thursday, 5 February 2026: With less than one month until the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership season officially kicks off, Virgin Australia has today announced it will extend its partnership with the league through to 2030 as demand for AFL fan travel is expected to grow by double digits over the next five years.
Under the new agreement, Virgin Australia will fly all 19 AFL and AFLW clubs across the country, including players, coaches, league officials and support staff, making it one of the largest airline partnerships in Australian sport.
The partnership supports the airline’s ambition to capture a greater share of the fast-growing AFL travel market and cement its place as the carrier of choice for footy fans.
The AFL continues to strengthen its position as the nation’s most followed sporting code, with AFL and club memberships up 15 per cent to more than1.3 million in 2025 and attendance growing by more than 22 per cent since 2022. More than half-a-million fans travelled interstate last year to support their team, with this trend set to accelerate in the years ahead.
To meet the demand, Virgin Australia operated more domestic flights than any other Australian airline during the 2025 Toyota AFL and NAB AFLW seasons, helping fans get closer to the action at major events, including Gather Round and the 2025 Toyota Finals Series.
This trend extends beyond the game itself, with survey data showing that AFL fans who are aware of the partnership are almost 70 per cent more likely to consider flying Virgin Australia over its competitors when travelling for an AFL game^, reinforcing the commercial importance of the renewed partnership.
AFL players will also benefit, with Virgin Australia prioritising access to its premium extra-legroom Economy X seating for game-day travel, which includes additional legroom and preferred overhead locker space to support a more comfortable journey.
To mark the extension of the partnership and reinforce its commitment in delivering tangible value for fans, Virgin Australia has today launched a sale for fans with fares from just $49* one-way to the league’s primary away game cities. The sale is available to book here from 10:00am AEST until 11:00pm AEST Saturday 7 February 2026 for select dates between 23 February 2026 and 30 June 2026.
Virgin Australia Chief Executive Officer, Dave Emerson, said the airline is proud to support Australia’s most-loved sport as the official airline partner of the AFL and AFLW.
“Footy is stitched into the fabric of Australian culture, and we’re proud to play our part in connecting fans to the moments that matter,” said Mr Emerson.
"As the official airline of the AFL and AFLW, we’ve seen firsthand the growing appetite in Australians travelling for events and experiences, and our extended partnership allows us to deliver even greater value and choice for fans heading to the game they love.”
“There is a huge opportunity for Virgin Australia to leverage the AFL travel market, and we’ll continue raising the bar with more value, and fan-first experiences when our guests fly to see their teams,” he said.
AFL Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Dillon, said:
“As we celebrate 15 years flying together in 2026, the AFL is pleased to extend our partnership with Virgin Australia,” said Mr Dillon.
“Fans are the heartbeat of our game, and together with Virgin Australia we will continue to connect more people with key moments and events throughout the season.
“It is shaping up to be another big year for the game, with a sold-out AAMI AFL Origin, the AAMI Community Series starting and then the opening of the home and away season all in the next month to get 2026 off to a massive start.
“The partnership with Virgin Australia will help deliver more value and choice for fans to travel and support their club across Australia.”
Virgin Australia Chief Marketing & Customer Operations Officer, Libby Minogue, said:
“Partnering with Australia’s most-loved sport gives Virgin Australia the opportunity to bring fans and communities together, something that sits at the heart of what we do,” said Ms Minogue.
“Our continued partnership with the AFL and AFLW delivers value to our brand, with AFL fans almost 70 per cent more likely to consider flying with Virgin Australia when flying to a game,” she said.
AFL Executive General Manager Customer, Commercial & Technology, Bec Haagsma, said:
“Virgin Australia have been a long-valued partner of the AFL and we are thrilled to extend this partnership and take it to new heights in 2026,” Haagsma said.
“With iconic marquee events all over the country throughout the year including AAMI AFL Origin, Opening Round, Gather Round, an expanded Toyota AFL Finals Series, and a growing NAB AFLW competition, this extended partnership with Virgin Australia will connect fans with their teams like never before.”
Geelong Cats Captain, Patrick Dangerfield, said he’s thrilled to continue flying with Virgin Australia throughout the 2026 season and beyond.
“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.
Virgin Australia has been the official airline partner of the AFL since 2011, transporting players, coaches, league officials and support staff on more than 5,000 flights (or 183,000 seats), carrying more than 3,600 tonnes in club cargo in that time, while sharing the magic of the game all over the country. The renewed agreement extends the partnership to almost two decades.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT
Virgin Australia Group Corporate Affairs: corporateaffairs@virginaustralia.com or 1800 142 467.
NOTES TO EDITOR
Footnotes
^Survey conducted by YouGov Sport on behalf of the AFL. Dataset for one year up to 28 September 2025. General population surveyed: 7,135. AFL fans aware of the partnership: 214. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are supplied from YouGov: Data Analytics & Market Research Services 2025 for the AFL & Virgin Australia
Sale Terms and Conditions
*Fares are on sale from 11.00am AEST Thursday 5 February 2026 to 11:00pm AEST on 7 February 2026, unless sold out prior. For travel on selected dates between 23 February 2026 and 30 June 2026 (inclusive). Blackout periods and conditions apply. $49 price point based on a one-way Economy Lite fare from Sydney to Ballina-Byron booked at virginaustralia.com. Other domestic fare prices based on one-way Economy Lite fare for routes indicated, and other international fare prices based on return Economy Lite fares for routes indicated, booked at virginaustralia.com. Seat selection and checked baggage are not included in Economy Lite fares. Subject to availability. Payment surcharge may apply. Full T&Cs at www.virginaustralia.com
