The countdown is officially on for one of the biggest moments in footy’s off-season calendar. The 2025 AFL National Draft begins on Wednesday, 19 November, kicking off two nights of anticipation, emotion and future-shaping decisions as clubs lock in the next generation of stars. Whether you’re following your club’s rebuild, tracking a top prospect’s journey, or just love the theatre of draft night, this year’s event promises plenty of drama and big calls..

📅 Full AFL Draft 2025 Schedule

Here’s the complete timeline for all the action:

  • AFL National Draft – Night 1: Wednesday, 19 November 2025

  • AFL National Draft – Night 2: Thursday, 20 November 2025

  • AFL Rookie Draft & Pre-Season Draft: Friday, 21 November 2025

These three days together shape the majority of list changes heading into the 2026 season.

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⏰ What Time Does the AFL Draft Start?

Both nights of the National Draft begin at:

  • 7:00 pm AEDT

Other time zones across Australia:

  • 6:30 pm ACDT – South Australia

  • 6:00 pm AEST – Queensland

  • 5:30 pm ACST – Northern Territory

  • 4:00 pm AWST – Western Australia

If you're following from overseas, especially from India, the draft will begin around 1:30 pm IST.

📍 Where Is the Draft Being Held?

Night 1 will be staged live at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, returning with the full red-carpet treatment and club tables on the arena floor. Night 2 is typically lighter and may be partly virtual, but picks still come through at pace.

📺 How to Watch the AFL Draft 2025

Fans can tune in through multiple platforms:

  • Fox Footy (live coverage)

  • Kayo Sports (live streaming)

  • AFL.com.au

  • AFL Live Official App – with Draft Night Live coverage and pick-by-pick reactions

Most platforms will also carry interviews, behind-the-scenes moments and club reactions.

🔍 How the AFL Draft Works — Rules, Bidding & New Changes

The 2025 draft introduces some key updates that will affect strategy and bidding.

1. Draft Order & Selection Rounds

  • Bottom-ranked teams pick earlier, but trades, academy bids and compensation picks can shift the order.

  • Around 50–60 players are typically selected across the two nights.

2. Age Eligibility

  • A player must be 18 years old, or turning 18 by December 31, 2025, to be picked in the National Draft.

3. Father–Son & Academy Players

Clubs can match bids for eligible father-son or NGA prospects.
However, 2025 brings rule changes:

4. Draft Value Index (DVI) — Updated System

  • Only the first 54 draft picks now have points assigned.

  • The discount for matching bids on academy/father-son prospects has been reduced from 20% to 10%, making those bids slightly more expensive.

  • Teams also face stricter limits on points deficits carried into the next season.

These tweaks are designed to balance talent access across the competition.

🧭 What Happens After the National Draft?

Once the final pick drops on Night 2:

📌 Rookie Draft — Friday, 21 November

Clubs select players for their rookie lists.
Many overlooked prospects get a lifeline here.

📌 Pre-Season Draft

Held immediately after the rookie selection, giving clubs a final chance to add experienced or returning players before list locks.