How your local footy club can earn Telstra Footy Country Grants

Grants of up to $20,000 are on offer for local footy clubs across Australia heading into 2026. Here’s how you can apply.

Local footy clubs are being encouraged to get their share of $8m in funding to help boost their programs on and off the field.

Telstra Footy Country Grants has returned for 2026 on the back of $2m being given to clubs across Australia for nearly 600 approved projects this year.

Clubs who are eligible can apply for grants of up to $20,000.

The funding is part of an $8m package over four years.

“Local footy clubs are woven into the fabric of communities right across Australia. For many people, it’s where they first pick up a footy, make lifelong friends, and learn what it means to be part of something bigger,” AFL executive general manager of game development Rob Auld said.

In 2025 alone, the program helped a range of clubs with a variety of different projects.

These included 78 clubs upgrading POS systems, 55 introducing nets behind the goals, 54 creating Indigenous or Pride theme guernseys and 35 using the money to fund education courses for their volunteers.

“From new equipment and upgraded facilities to educational courses and mental health and wellbeing support, these grants are helping footy thrive in the heart of our communities,” Telstra executive Brent Smart said.

The first round of applications for the 2026 program opened on December 1 and remain open until February 1. Clubs will be informed of their application outcome in early March.

Full details can be found on the play.afl website.

Originally published as How your local footy club can earn Telstra Footy Country Grants