AFL India Match Gains Western Bulldogs Support
Western Bulldogs senior coach Luke Beveridge has endorsed the club’s strategy to host the initial Australian Football League premiership fixture in India. This endorsement follows statements from chief executive officer Ameet Bains, who confirmed the franchise would formally apply to participate if the league schedules an international fixture.
Key Highlights
- Western Bulldogs management officially expressed interest in playing a historic premiership match in India.
- AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon surveyed facilities in India in January to evaluate expansion opportunities.
- The targeted expansion aims to engage the growing Indian diaspora, which numbers nearly 1 million citizens in Australia.
- Professional pathways are emerging, highlighted by Collingwood recruiting the first player of full Indian heritage in 2025.
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is keen for the Bulldogs to play in India.
AFL chief executive officer Andrew Dillon traveled to India in January to meet with sports administrators, refusing to dismiss the potential for regular-season matches.
Dillon noted that nearly 1 million Australian residents were born in India, making the demographic vital for the financial growth and cultural reach of the sport.
The executive highlighted expanding participation rates across the subcontinent, stating that establishing local football foundations remains a priority for headquarters.
Beveridge projected that an international fixture would represent a significant commercial and competitive milestone if finalized by league planners.
The senior coach suggested scheduling the lengthy overseas transit immediately prior to a mid-season bye week to mitigate player fatigue.
He cited the deep-seated sporting passion within the region and noted that adequate stadium infrastructure already exists to support elite Australian rules football.
Beveridge characterized the potential fixture as an intense operational challenge, requiring the football department to maintain on-field performance despite grueling travel schedules.
The club maintains active community programs with South Asian migrant groups, positioning the franchise as a logical choice for an international exhibition.
However, management emphasized that long-term community foundation work in Victoria remains the primary corporate objective, ahead of potential foreign fixtures.
Collingwood rookie Jai Saxena became the first footballer of full Indian lineage to secure a spot on an AFL list, joining the club in 2025.
Reports indicate Richmond and Greater Western Sydney have also registered expressions of interest with league headquarters regarding potential inclusion.
Organized competitions now operate across 11 of India’s 28 states, with Dillon attending the national championships in Ranchi during his early-season inspection.
Previous international expansion efforts by senior league officials have yielded mixed operational results over the past two decades.
St Kilda hosted competitive regular-season matches in New Zealand from 2013 through 2015 before abandoning the offshore venture due to poor financial returns.
Port Adelaide subsequently organized premiership fixtures in China during 2017, 2018, and 2019, but the program ceased permanently following international border closures.
History of AFL International Expansion
The AFL has long sought to establish a footprint outside of Australia to capture new commercial markets. The push into New Zealand saw St Kilda play official home games in Wellington on Anzac Day, but low crowds and high costs halted the experiment after 3 years.
Port Adelaide’s venture into Shanghai, China, saw the power club secure major international sponsorships and play three successful matches at Jiangwan Stadium. While that strategy showed commercial promise, logistical hurdles and global health restrictions in 2020 forced a complete retreat back to domestic venues. The current focus on India leverages a massive domestic diaspora and existing cricket infrastructure.
FAQs
When did the AFL chief executive visit India to discuss potential matches?
AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon traveled to India in January to meet with local sporting stakeholders and assess the growth of the game.
Which AFL player became the first of full Indian descent to be drafted?
Jai Saxena made history by becoming the first player of full Indian descent drafted into the league when he signed with Collingwood in 2025.
How many Indian states currently have active Australian rules football programs?
Australian rules football is currently played at a competitive participation level in 11 out of the 28 states across India.
Which other AFL clubs have expressed interest in playing a match in India?
Alongside the Western Bulldogs, Richmond and the Greater Western Sydney Giants have reportedly expressed interest in participating in an Indian fixture.
