Some had predicted a record audience for the AFL Grand Final this year. We publish that figure today as we update our list of all 2024 AFL and NRL finals…so far. There is just one game to come next weekend.
As a comparison, we also have the TV ratings for the five previous AFL Grand Finals.
We have a separate list for AFL and another for NRL. Seven is the FTA broadcaster of AFL matches. Nine is the FTA broadcaster of NRL games.
Please note the figures are for Total TV National Average viewing. The data for the NRL includes BVOD via 9Now.
AFL Grand Finals
Did the one-side Lions demolitions of the Swans impact the audience numbers? Maybe, but the game still had the second-best audience of the past six AFL Grand Finals.
2019: Tigers v Giants 2,940,000
2020: Tigers v Cats 3,878,000
2021: Demons v Bulldogs 4,110,000
2022: Cats v Swans 3,060,000
2023: Magpies v Lions 4,003,000
2024: Lions v Swans 4,024,000
(The 7plus BVOD audience included in the total was 655,000)
Total TV average national audience
Headline numbers Footy Finals 2024
Biggest NRL TV Final: Sharks v Cowboys 1,171,000
Biggest AFL TV Final: Liona v Swans 4,024,000
NRL Final Series 2024 TV ratings
Finals Week 1
Friday 13 September
Panthers v Roosters 776,000
Saturday 14 September
Storm v Sharks 572,000
Cowboys v Knights 723,000
Sunday 15 September
Bulldogs v Sea Eagles 825,000
Finals Week 2
Friday September 20
Sharks v Cowboys 845,000
Saturday September 21
Roosters v Sea Eagles 821,000
Finals Week 3
Friday September 27
Storm v Roosters 1,171,000
Saturday September 28
Panthers v Sharks 1,156,000
Grand Final
Sunday 6 October
Storn v Panthers
AFL Finals Series 2024 TV ratings
Finals Week 1
Thursday September 5
Port v Cats 832,000
Friday September 6
Bulldogs v Hawks 972,000
Saturday September 7
Swans v Giants 718,000
Lions v Blues 887,000
Semi-Finals
Friday September 13
Port v Hawks 1,082,000
Saturday September 14
Giants v Lions 922,000
Preliminary Finals
Friday September 20
Swans v Port 1,183,000
Saturday September 21
Cats v Lions 1,322,000
Grand Final
Saturday September 28
Swans v Lions
See also: As AFL and NRL head towards finals, Foxtel Media reveals 2024 audience growth
The last home and away AFL matches of season 2024 were played in front of massive audiences. Data supplied by Foxtel Media tells just how many tuned in to the last match of the season which helped decide the shape of the final series.
The NRL season started with record viewers watching the Vegas games and the numbers stayed high across the season.
The final AFL round marked a minor sports rights milestone. The games that featured Seven commentary and were screened on Fox Footy via Foxtel and Kayo were the last regular season games from the expiring rights agreement. From the start of the 2025 season, Seven commentators will no longer be heard on Foxtel Group coverage.
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