How to Watch the AFL & NRL in 2026 Without Foxtel

By Xerquvatv Team · Published 29 September 2026

For a long time, following the footy or the league in Australia meant a Foxtel dish, a rented iQ box and a bill that climbed every season. In 2026 that is no longer the only path. A good IPTV service brings the same AFL and NRL fixtures, plus a great deal more, over your home internet — no dish, no lock-in contract, and a fraction of the cost. Here is how it actually works.

Why Foxtel is no longer the only way

The rights picture in Australia has always been split, and cable simply bundled the lot together and charged accordingly. IPTV takes a different route: it streams the live channels and their international counterparts straight to an app. That means the AFL, the NRL, the cricket over summer, the A-League and the overseas competitions all sit in one line-up, without you renting hardware or signing anything. You keep the sport and drop the dish.

What you need to watch AFL and NRL online

Very little. If you own an Amazon Fire TV Stick, a Samsung or LG smart TV, an Android TV box, an Apple TV or even just a phone, you already have what you need. You install an IPTV player, enter the login your provider sends you, and the channels appear. Activation with Xerquvatv takes under 15 minutes, and the same subscription works across every screen in the house, plus your phone when you are out on mobile data.

The channels and matches you get

A strong IPTV line carries the Australian sport channels that show the AFL and NRL, alongside the international feeds of the same fixtures — handy when a match is on an overseas channel first, or when you want a different commentary team. Xerquvatv lists 25,000+ channels and 120,000+ films and box sets, in 4K, Full HD and HD, with a 7-day catch-up guide so a Saturday game is still there on Sunday morning. Cricket, rugby union, the A-League and the European leagues come in the same package.

What it costs compared with Foxtel

This is where the sums get interesting. A Foxtel package with the sport tier and the iQ box comfortably runs past $100 a month. A single Xerquvatv subscription starts at $15 AUD a month for one screen, drops to around $45 for six months, and works out near $6 a month if you take the 12-month plan at $69. Even on two or three screens the yearly cost is a small fraction of a cable contract, and there is a 7-day money-back guarantee behind it.

How to test it before a big round

The sensible move is to try it on a live game before you commit. A cheap, under-resourced service will freeze during the Friday-night rush; a well-run one holds steady. That is exactly what the free 24-hour trial is for — load it up during an actual AFL or NRL match and watch how the stream behaves when everyone else is watching too. If it is smooth, you buy; if it is not, you have spent nothing.

Ready to line it up for the 2026 season? Compare the plans on our pricing page, start with a free trial, or message us on WhatsApp at +212 610 046 062 and we will get you watching the footy tonight.

Can I watch the AFL and NRL live, not just replays?

Yes. The live channels stream the matches in real time as they air, and the 7-day catch-up is there as a bonus for anything you miss, not a replacement for the live feed.

Do I need a fast internet connection?

A standard Australian NBN connection is plenty. Around 25 Mbps handles 4K comfortably; HD needs far less. Wi-Fi works, though a wired connection to your TV box gives the steadiest picture during a busy round.

Will it work on my Foxtel iQ box?

No — that box is tied to Foxtel. IPTV runs on ordinary devices like a Firestick, smart TV, Android box or phone, which is part of why it costs so much less to run.

Is there a contract?

None. You choose a plan length, and there is a 7-day money-back guarantee if it is not for you. Nothing renews without you deciding to renew it.

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