AFL chief Andrew Dillon has made it clear that there are no immediate plans for the league to expand into the US market. His comments followed the recent season launch of the NRL in Las Vegas, a bold initiative led by Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys, which commits to hosting the NRL season opener in Vegas through 2028.
The NRL’s strategy appears aimed at tapping into the vast American sports market instead of fostering a significant interest in rugby league itself, a sport relatively unknown in the United States. In contrast, Australian rules football has even less recognition there, and Dillon has expressed no intention of changing that dynamic.
While acknowledging the success of the NRL’s venture, Dillon pointed out the operational complexities involved and confirmed AFL’s focus remains squarely within Australia. He highlighted recent record attendance figures at AFL matches, with expectations for over 40,000 spectators at the SCG and more than 85,000 at the MCG for upcoming games, showcasing the league’s strong domestic support.
Despite the AFL’s history of adopting some NRL concepts—including the recent transformation of the Magic Round into Gather Round—the league generally maintains a policy of concentrating its efforts within national borders.
Previous attempts by Port Adelaide to play matches in China exemplify the AFL’s occasional forays abroad, but Dillon reiterated the league’s commitment to domestic growth over international expansion for the foreseeable future.