Filming to begin on new Amazon AFL documentary series based on Drive to Survive

The team behind hugely successful F1 sports documentary Drive to Survive is set to make an AFL series based on this footy season, promising to deliver “unprecedented, behind-the-scenes” action.

The team that created hugely successful sports doco Drive to Survive is set to make an AFL series based on this footy season in a bid to take our great game to the world.

Amazon and the AFL will on Wednesday officially unveil plans for a new docu-series to be screened on the streaming giant’s vast global network, pulling back the curtain on Aussie Rules action for audiences near and far.

Camera crews will begin filming behind the scenes footage and audio of teams and star players from this weekend for a series the league and Amazon hope introduces AFL to new international audiences.

The new series – yet to be named – will premiere on Prime Video in 240 countries and territories worldwide in 2026, offering a fly on the wall peak into the inner sanctums of AFL action.

It will capture content for the remainder of the home and away season and AFL finals, promising “unprecedented, behind-the-scenes’’ vision and “give audiences outside of Australia unique insight into a sport celebrated with near religious fervour in the southern hemisphere.’’

Drive to Survive has been credited for creating vast new global interest in F1.

AFL customer and commercial executive Bec Haagsma said the series was “an important asset for the AFL as we aim to have footy in every household in the country, and introduce our game, and our stories, to international audiences.”

“We love that new audiences will be connected to our stories and our game through this series, and our fans will enjoy finding even more reasons to love footy and its characters.’’

Ms Haagsma said

The series will be produced by Emmy Award winning UK sports documentary kings Box to Box which breathed new life into F1 through Drive to Survive and has created content for golf, tennis and the Tour de France.

Contracts for teams that will feature in the series have yet to be signed but more than five clubs likely to figure in the final are in talks to take part.

The series is likely to include vision from this year’s Grand Final. Picture: Lachie Millard

Prime Video Australia and New Zealand head of content Alexandra Gilbert said audiences would get “insider access to the moments and personalities that make the AFL so special’’.

“We’re committed to bringing fans authentic, behind-the-scenes moments that they’ve never experienced before, while helping to share Australia’s beloved sport with viewers worldwide,’’ she said.

Filming is also likely to include Grand Final day, with behind the scenes sights, sounds and interviews capturing the enormity of the AFL blockbuster for the world to see.

Box to Box co founder Paul Martin said “In the pantheon of international sports, AFL really stood out to us as rich terrain for storytelling potential.

“The world of Aussie Rules has everything we look for in our shows — intensity, big personalities, massive stakes, and stories that hit hard on and off the field.

“We’re thrilled to bring audiences around the globe into the heart of such a tenaciously competitive league.”

Drive to Survive has been credited with creating vast new global interest in F1, especially in the US and among women. with Grand Prix ticket sales, merchandise and marketing at record levels.

Originally published as Filming to begin on new Amazon AFL documentary series based on Drive to Survive