AFL teams: the club directory
Explore all 18 current AFL clubs, from their founding stories to home grounds, colours and honours.
Choose a club
Profiles are alphabetical, not a popularity ranking. Founding dates and VFL/AFL entry are kept separate. Honours refer to senior men’s VFL/AFL premierships through 2026; other competitions are not added into that count.
All 18 clubs
Adelaide Crows
Established: 1990
Adelaide Oval
Club profile →QueenslandBrisbane Lions
Established: 1996 (merger)
The Gabba
Club profile →VictoriaCarlton
Established: 1864
MCG and Marvel Stadium
Club profile →VictoriaCollingwood
Established: 1892
MCG
Club profile →VictoriaEssendon
Established: 1872
Marvel Stadium and MCG
Club profile →Western AustraliaFremantle
Established: 1994
Optus Stadium
Club profile →VictoriaGeelong Cats
Established: 1859
GMHBA Stadium (Kardinia Park); also MCG
Club profile →QueenslandGold Coast SUNS
Established: 2009 in the club’s history
People First Stadium (Carrara)
Club profile →New South Wales / ACTGWS GIANTS
Established: 2009 development project; GIANTS launched 2010
ENGIE Stadium (Sydney Showground); Manuka Oval, Canberra
Club profile →VictoriaHawthorn
Established: 1902
MCG; also UTAS Stadium (York Park), Launceston
Club profile →VictoriaMelbourne
Established: 1858 origins, as dated by the club
MCG
Club profile →VictoriaNorth Melbourne
Established: 1869
Marvel Stadium
Club profile →South AustraliaPort Adelaide
Established: 1870
Adelaide Oval
Club profile →VictoriaRichmond
Established: 1885
MCG
Club profile →VictoriaSt Kilda
Established: 1873
Marvel Stadium
Club profile →New South WalesSydney Swans
Established: 1874 as South Melbourne
Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)
Club profile →Western AustraliaWest Coast Eagles
Established: 1986
Optus Stadium
Club profile →VictoriaWestern Bulldogs
Established: 1883 as the club’s current historical reference point
Marvel Stadium
Club profile →Reading club histories
Start with the AFL history timeline to distinguish club foundations, league entry, relocations and mergers.
Discover how those histories meet in AFL rivalries explained, from Carlton–Collingwood to the Showdown and the state derbies.
Following your club on match day? Use AFL statistics explained to read disposals, inside 50s and goal accuracy alongside the action.
Brisbane’s merger, Sydney’s relocation and Port Adelaide’s move into the national league each need different historical treatment. The Bulldogs’ current history uses 1883 while documenting earlier local football roots. Club profiles explain these distinctions rather than pretending every date means the same thing.
Home matches, training bases and historic grounds are also different. Follow the exact official fixture when planning a visit.
Reviewed 1 November 2026. Individual profiles link to their sources. Start with the AFL chronology and premiership record for league context.