India's emergence as a global sporting powerhouse could soon attract yet another major international league. After Australia's Big Bash League (BBL) intensified efforts to bring its 2026 season opener to Chennai, Australia's premier Australian Football League (AFL) is now actively exploring the possibility of hosting a regular-season match in India.

The development marks a significant step in the AFL's international growth strategy and highlights India's increasing importance in the global sports landscape. With its massive population, passionate sporting culture, and world-class stadium infrastructure, India is becoming an attractive destination for sporting organizations looking to expand beyond traditional markets.

According to a report by CODE Sports, the proposal has gained strong support from the Western Bulldogs, one of the AFL's most established clubs. The club's chief executive, Ameet Bains, is reportedly leading discussions aimed at bringing Australian Rules Football to Indian audiences through a historic premiership match.

If successful, the event would mark the first time an AFL regular-season fixture, which counts towards official league standings, is played on Indian soil.

AFL Sees Huge Potential in India

Australian Rules Football is among Australia's most popular sports, drawing some of the highest attendance figures in the country. The game is played on a large oval-shaped field and combines elements of football, rugby, basketball, and soccer into a fast-paced and highly physical spectacle.

While the sport enjoys a passionate following in Australia, the AFL has increasingly looked beyond its domestic market in recent years. India, with its rapidly expanding sports industry and growing appetite for international competitions, has emerged as a prime target for expansion.

Speaking on Fox Footy's Midweek Tackle program, veteran journalist Jon Ralph revealed that both the AFL and the Western Bulldogs are enthusiastic about the possibility of taking a premiership match to India.

"The Dogs have thrust their hand very high — they are adamant that they would love to be the first team to play in India for premiership points," Ralph said.

The statement reflects the Bulldogs' determination to become pioneers in introducing the sport to one of the world's largest untapped sporting markets.

BBL's India Plans Open New Opportunities

The AFL's interest comes at a time when another major Australian sporting competition is making significant progress toward hosting matches in India.

Australia's Big Bash League, one of the world's leading T20 cricket tournaments, has been exploring plans to stage its 2026 season opener at Chennai's iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium. Discussions surrounding the event have generated considerable excitement among cricket fans and sports administrators alike.

Should the BBL successfully launch its season in India, it could pave the way for other Australian sporting leagues to follow a similar path.

Industry experts believe the success of such international events would strengthen sporting ties between Australia and India while creating new commercial opportunities for leagues, broadcasters, sponsors, and host cities.

The AFL appears keen to capitalize on this momentum as it evaluates potential international venues for future matches.

Western Bulldogs Lead the Charge

A key figure behind the AFL's India ambitions is Western Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Bains.

Under his leadership, the Bulldogs have emerged as one of the strongest advocates for taking the game beyond Australia's borders. The club reportedly views India not only as a commercial opportunity but also as a strategic market capable of introducing millions of new fans to the sport.

The Bulldogs have been particularly proactive in engaging multicultural communities within Australia, including the country's rapidly growing Indian-origin population.

The club believes these existing cultural connections could help build awareness and support for Australian Rules Football both in Australia and in India.

By becoming the first AFL team to participate in a premiership match in India, the Bulldogs hope to establish themselves as leaders in the sport's international expansion movement.

India's Sporting Infrastructure Attracts Global Leagues

One of the major reasons behind the AFL's growing interest in India is the country's impressive sporting infrastructure.

Unlike many emerging markets, India possesses numerous large-scale venues capable of hosting international sporting events. Cricket stadiums across the country are particularly attractive because Australian Rules Football is traditionally played on large oval grounds similar in size and shape to cricket venues.

Cities such as Chennai, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kolkata boast world-class stadiums that could potentially accommodate AFL matches.

India's experience hosting major global events, including the Cricket World Cup, IPL, Hockey World Cup, and various international football tournaments, further strengthens its credentials as a reliable destination for elite sporting competitions.

For the AFL, these factors significantly reduce logistical challenges associated with entering a new market.

Indian-Origin Community Plays Key Role

Another important factor driving the AFL's India strategy is Australia's growing Indian-origin population.

According to figures cited by Jon Ralph, nearly one million Indian-born people currently live in Australia. This demographic has become increasingly influential across business, politics, education, and sports.

The AFL sees an opportunity to engage this community more effectively while simultaneously building connections with audiences in India.

League chief executive Andrew Dillon has recently encouraged AFL clubs to broaden their outreach efforts and connect with multicultural communities across Australia.

Expanding into India aligns perfectly with that vision.

By staging matches in India and increasing grassroots engagement among Indian communities, the AFL hopes to create long-term pathways for participation, fandom, sponsorship, and media growth.

AFL's International Expansion History

The AFL has previously experimented with international expansion through regular-season matches outside Australia.

Between 2013 and 2015, the league hosted premiership games in Wellington, New Zealand, as part of efforts to increase its presence in the region.

Following that initiative, AFL matches were staged in Shanghai, China, from 2017 to 2019. The China experiment attracted significant global attention and demonstrated the league's willingness to pursue ambitious international opportunities.

Although those ventures produced mixed commercial results, they provided valuable lessons regarding overseas operations, fan engagement, and market development.

India now appears to be the next major frontier in the AFL's global ambitions.

What an AFL Match in India Could Mean

Hosting an AFL premiership match in India would represent a landmark moment for both Australian and Indian sports.

For the AFL, it would unlock access to one of the world's largest consumer markets and potentially introduce millions of new fans to the game.

For India, it would reinforce the country's growing reputation as a destination for elite international sporting events beyond cricket.

The move could also deepen sporting and cultural relations between India and Australia, creating opportunities for future collaborations, talent development programs, and commercial partnerships.

While discussions remain in the exploratory stage, momentum appears to be building. With the BBL already pushing to bring top-level cricket to India and the AFL examining similar possibilities, Australian sports are increasingly viewing India as a crucial part of their global future.

If plans materialize, Indian sports fans could soon witness another major international league making history on home soil.

Ankaj Jha

Author at ICC Cricket Schedule

10+ Articles 6+ Years Writing Since 2020

Expertise:

Cricket NewsMatch AnalysisPlayer Updates

Ankaj Jha is team of experienced Author, Editor and News media management.