AFLW 2024: League finds stability with late August start

The AFL has declared when the women’s competition will run this year as players ramp up their preparation for the pre-season.

The AFLW season will again kick off during the men’s pre-finals bye after the league hailed the success of the slot over the past two seasons.

The AFL confirmed on Wednesday the women’s competition would begin in the final week of August, meaning a likely grand final in the second week of December due to the extra round slated as an addition to the home and away season.

Players will return for official pre-season training from June 3, which will start a 12-week lead-up to the opening matches.

The season fixture is expected to be released in coming weeks.

AFLW players will begin pre-season on June 3 ahead of a season start during the AFL pre-finals bye in the last week of August. Picture: Phil Hillyard

AFL football boss Laura Kane said the “clear window” provided by the pre-finals bye in the men’s competition was important to spark interest in the start of the AFLW season.

“After a record-breaking season eight and our best finals campaign in our history, the NAB

AFLW Competition is poised to go from strength to strength this year and are looking forward

to having the players back on the training ground in early June,” Kane said.

“We’re pleased to launch the AFLW Season during the pre-finals bye once again, which

gives the competition a clear window to get off to a great start and build momentum ahead

of another incredible season.”