Why Australian Rules Football should be a global sport

Whether you’re a fan of the Brisbane Lions or the Carlton Blues, Australian Rules Football is a glorious sport that should be enjoyed by global audiences. Sadly, though, for whatever reason, the AFL package hasn’t managed to spread too far outside of Australia despite serving up the same type of excitement that many other global sporting products do. 

In the past, the Australian Football League Grand Final has been shown on Fox Soccer Plus in America. Additionally, AFL games are occasionally shown in the UK, too. While this was encouraging at the time, the sport hasn’t really capitalised on that type of exposure, with the AFL’s main audience coming from down under. Unlike in horse racing, where foreign audiences can read Neds review ahead of placing a bet on historic events on the calendar like the Melbourne Cup, Aussie Rules Football hasn’t quite managed to pull in global audiences. Other Aussie favourites have, like cricket and rugby, but the appeal of the AFL seems to be mainly limited to this part of the world. Why this is the case is ultimately up for debate, but there are certainly some key reasons as to why Australian Rules Football should be pulling in audiences from outside of Australia. Let’s take a look at some of them. 

The skill on show

While soccer fans are wowed by the skill on show from the likes of Lionel Messi, Australian audiences are regularly entertained by the game’s best players who can do amazing things with the ball. The accuracy players put on kicks to goal is remarkable, for example, alongside a selection of “party tricks” that get brought out when teams are cruising to victory. Given the appeal of global sports like soccer, it’s hard to fathom just why these same fans struggle to appreciate the foot skills many of the AFL’s biggest stars regularly showcase. Surely, with more exposure, foreign audiences who adore soccer would potentially take to the AFL. 

The athleticism

Some of the most impressive athletes in the country are AFL players. From the marking contests taking place in a typical AFL game to the full-blooded, physical tackles that get fans off their seats, the all-round athleticism needed to be a successful football player is remarkable. A highly energetic, all-action sporting event, it serves up the same energy and physicality as sports like rugby, basketball, soccer, and American football. With that in mind, fans of those sports might eventually discover the entertainment on offer in the AFL. 

The fans

While chanting in the Premier League is a common occurrence in soccer matches in England, the fans in Aussie Rules also add to the atmosphere to create a great sporting event. Whether you’re there in person or watching it on the television, AFL supporters are just as passionate as fans in other sports from around the world. Given the passion, excitement, and the fanatical fanbases all over the country, it’s a truly excellent sport to watch live. Even the stadium announcers are great value, with the AFL having a ton of entertaining announcers who add a bit of comical value at times.

The physicality

We’ve seen some nasty collisions in Aussie Rules over the years. Alongside the human crashes, there is open field running, high flying jumps, blistering speed, and bravery. As such, the physical elements of the sport make it a great watch. Even when the ball is out of play, the niggle still carries on, with players aiming to physically batter their opponents, which, in turn, adds to the excellent entertainment package on offer when watching a tight AFL game.