Live stream: Watch every match from the 2025 AFI World 9s footy carnival
Teams representing eight countries are set to showcase a fast-growing hybrid sport when the AFI World 9s tournament hits Melbourne. See how to watch every match LIVE on Saturday.
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With plans to continue to grow the AFI World 9s beyond the heights the hybrid sport has already achieved, tournament officials are hoping the 2025 edition will be the best one yet.
The full-day tournament will take place at the Box Hill Rugby Club in Melbourne on Saturday, February 8 with KommunityTV to live stream every match for the third successive year.
Teams will compete across two men’s and one women’s division with grand finals to conclude the tournament.
Originally launched in 2019, the annual event’s popularity has only grown each year.
Australian Football International chief executive Brian Clarke was confident another successful edition will help expansion plans already locked in for later this year.
“It gets better and better every year,” Clarke said.
“When we first started the 9s format it was a relatively new concept and it took a while for people to get their head around playing Aussie rules on a rectangular field.
“The format’s been so successful that we’re looking at running the first Europe 9s in Europe in October later this year.
“We want the World 9s to be a cornerstone event where we’ve got countries coming from overseas (to Australia) but as a part of that strategy, we want to have a regional 9s.
“But as part of that strategy, we want to have a (overseas) regional 9s. We want to have a Latin American 9s, obviously in Latin America, and African 9s, the Europe 9s, the Pacific 9s.
“I believe we will get there. I think the format speaks for itself. We’re already running 9s events (across Australia). We’ve run one in Darwin for the last four years and we’re in discussions to take one to Queensland as well. The format’s just going to continue to grow.”
Eight countries will compete in Melbourne across the three divisions with men’s powerhouse South Sudan gunning for a third straight division 1 premiership.
“These boys were born to play 9s,” Clarke said of the South Sudan side.
“I said last year when we awarded them the trophy that they were the Harlem Globetrotters of footy 9s.
“Their athleticism and skill is just amazing to watch. They’re definitely favourites in Division 1. In Division 2, South Africa have got a really, really strong team.
“But then we’ve got a new team, Solomon Islands, who look very good as well, so I think Division 2 is wide open.
“The women’s division, well, it’s a very equal division and I think this year will be another great day.
“People are drawn back every year because it is a great format to play. All the colour of all the different countries, with supporters bringing their flags, makes it a fantastic day.
“The pride of playing for your nation, playing for your community, is obviously very attractive as well.
“We come from many different backgrounds but we are all Australians, and the great game of the Australian football is the glue that brings us all together.”
WHAT IS FOOTY 9s?
Footy 9s is a fast-paced version of Australian rules football which involves the use of a standard rugby field without any behind posts.
Each team consists of nine players on the field with three forwards, three midfielders and three backs. However there are no restrictions on player’s movements around the field and no off-side rules.
Like in regular Australian rules, the ball can be kicked or handpassed between opponents with marks only counted when a kick is caught on the full.
Goals, which only count for one point, are counted when the ball goes between the uprights. If the ball hits the post and bounces back into the field it is play on, if it goes out play resumes with a kick in for the opposition.
Originally published as Live stream: Watch every match from the 2025 AFI World 9s footy carnival
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