AFL 26 (2025) · Tastebuds

Get ready for the future of footy with AFL 26. Feel every hit, hear every roar, and live every moment with unmatched authenticity and intensity. From the first bounce to the final siren, the action is fast, fierce, and true to the game. With lifelike gameplay, roaring crowds, expert commentary, and all the drama of real AFL, you’re not just watching the game — you’re in it. This is footy, redefined.

Simulator Sport controller requiredXbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One

Log it

Sign in to log this.

Character

Earnest, plot-driven, contemporary and classical in form.

earnestironic
character-ledplot-driven
contemporarynostalgic
classical in formformally daring
gravecomic

Who loves it, who doesn't

No profiled raters yet.

Ask the title

A yes-or-no question, answered from what people wrote here, on TMDB and on Wikipedia. Never made up.

YesNoUnclear

Reviews

No reviews yet.

From the critics

A few lines from each review; the whole review is on the critic's site. Not part of Tastebuds's numbers.

Digitally DownloadedMatt SainsburyMay 20254.5/5 stars
Those gripes and wishlish items are minor issues that would be nice to see Big Ant address in future titles, but I don’t want to take anything away from AFL 26. It plays incredibly well and has had a lot of effort put into it, despite being a game that only really has Australia to count on as far as marketability. What’s more, Big Ant’s still patching away. It’s going to be fascinating to see where this one ends up in a year.
Read the review
ImpulsegamerMay 20253.5/5
AFL 26 is a commendable iteration that refines its predecessors' foundation while introducing meaningful improvements. The enhanced marking system, deeper tactical options and more challenging goalkicking contribute to a more engaging experience, despite the persistence of some long-standing issues. While the PlayStation 5 version is fast for load times and performance, it doesn't represent a groundbreaking leap forward for next-gen hardware. Nevertheless, AFL 26 is a significant step in the right direction for Australian Rules Football gaming and fans of the sport will undoubtedly appreciate the considerable effort put into this title.
Read the review
StevivorBen SalterMay 20256.5/10
AFL 26 is for the fans who love their footy enough to forgive the rough edges, push through the clunky gameplay, and accept the long-standing frustrations that have plagued AFL games for decades and likely always will, to chase their dream of lifting the Premiership Cup.
Read the review

Snippets via OpenCritic.

About the game

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One
Developer: Big Ant Studios
Publisher: Nacon
Released: May 8, 2025
Modes: Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
Perspective: Third person, Bird view / Isometric, Side view

IGDB rating 6.9/10 from 1 ratings.

Screenshots

Similar in taste

Closest on the same fourteen dimensions, from everything scored on Tastebuds Other media included when they land close.

Vancouver 2010 201081% alike
Both plot-driven, earnest, grave.
Driveclub VR 201680% alike
Both plot-driven, contemporary, grave.
ESPN NHL Hockey 200380% alike
Both plot-driven, earnest, grave.
Monster Energy Supercross: The Official Videogame 201880% alike
Both plot-driven, earnest, classical in form.
MXGP3: The Official Motocross Videogame 201780% alike
Both earnest, plot-driven, classical in form.
Dirt 4 201779% alike
Both plot-driven, grave, earnest.
Race Driver: Grid 200879% alike
Both plot-driven, grave, earnest.
Monster Energy Supercross 6: The Official Videogame 202378% alike
Both plot-driven, contemporary, classical in form.
WWE Wrestlemania XXVI 201073% alike
Film · Both plot-driven, classical in form, earnest.
WWE WrestleMania 34 201872% alike
Film · Both plot-driven, classical in form, contemporary.