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The Best AFL Drinking Games

Will Brown by Will Brown, July 16, 2025

AFL ball and beer

There’s no better way to add extra excitement to your Australian football watching experience than by playing a few AFL drinking games. Whether you’re cheering for your team or simply looking for something to do with some friends, these games add a fun, alcohol-fuelled twist to Aussie Rules spectating. From sip-based challenges tied to match moments to Grand Final day games, this guide has something for everyone. Just grab a few cold ones, settle in, and let the AFL-inspired fun begin!

Why Play Footy Drinking Games?

The beauty of these Aussie Rules drinking games is that you don’t have to be especially familiar with AFL rules before you play. In fact, the less you know, the more chaotic and exciting it can be. These games have been recommended as they’re easy, simple, and most importantly, fun.

We’ve provided a range of different options, including sip-based games based on match events, challenges relating to umpire or commentator decisions, and a dedicated Grand Final drinking game. In some instances, you’ll be able to merge the rules of two or more for the ultimate competition.

Before You Play…

It’s important to note, before we begin, that the best footy drinking games are those that are prolonged and sustainable. For this reason, opt for light beers or spirits heavily diluted with mixers. You want to be able to enjoy the game while playing along, so stay hydrated, line your stomach with food, and take care of your friends.

AFL Spectator Challenge

This drinking game is perfect for those looking for a low-effort, high-paced, and unpredictable challenge. Like all the Aussie Rules drinking games, you’ll just need to gather plenty of drinks, a group of friends, and a livestream of an AFL match.

The Rules

This game works by distributing different volumes of sips based on in-game events. To get started, follow the steps below:

  • Choose a team to support all match
  • Stand for the national anthem or club song
  • Shake hands or cheers your mates
  • Finish half your drink
  • Refill your cup

When the game starts, follow the rules below:

1 Sip:

  • Behind is scored by your team
  • Your team’s ball goes out of bounds
  • Opponent’s team takes mark inside the 50 line
  • Your coach is shown to be looking furious or on the phone
  • Your team’s kick goes backwards
  • The crowd boos a free kick

2 Sips:

  • Your team kicks an easy goal to the post
  • Opponent intercepts a bounce or kick
  • The ball is touched off the boot
  • The umpire is booed by the crowd

3 Sips:

  • A 50-meter penalty given against you
  • Score review called
  • A player celebrates before the goal is confirmed
  • A streaker or odd fan appears on camera

Finish Half Your Drink:

  • Your team concedes a goal directly from a turnover
  • Your team misses three goal shots in a row
  • Your team gives away a 50 and concedes a goal from it
  • The ball hits the umpire and stops play

Finish Your Entire Drink:

  • Your team loses a player to injury
  • Your team gives away a goal after the siren
  • A player gets a red card
  • You lose a quarter by 30+ points
  • Your team loses

Drink Until the Event Ends:

  • Coach in the box during a meltdown
  • A slow-motion replay of a big hit
  • On-field melee or group scuffle

This game is all about shared chaos and biased support. It’s almost guaranteed to trigger fierce debates with your friends, and can be customized with your own rules for more personalized enjoyment.

The Gauntlet: Grand Final Drinking Game

The Grand Final drinking game is similar to the first game but has specialized rules to celebrate the AFL’s biggest day. You’ll similarly just need to supply a wealth of beers, and to make things more entertaining, dress in a playing team’s colours. Consider playing along after you’ve made your Aussie Rules betting decisions.

Rules

This game is divided into four quarters, with new challenges designed for each. It includes a pre-game ritual, halftime entertainment, and the final siren. To get started, you must choose a team to back for the whole game. Each quarter’s rules are then added to the previous as the game progresses.

Pre-Game Ritual

  • 1 sip when the National Anthem plays
  • 1 sip if a coach is chewing gum
  • 1 sip if an ex-player or celebrity is shown in the crowd
  • 1 sip if a player spits

Quarter 1

  • 2 sips if opposing team scores first goal
  • 1 sip if your team misses easy shot at goal
  • Everyone sips if ball bounces awkwardly
  • 1 sip every time commentator says “pressure” or “intensity”

Quarter 2

  • Last player to yell “Huge!” after a big tackle takes 2 sips
  • Drink continuously during a score review until the replay finishes
  • 2 sips for everyone if a player bleeds or limps
  • 1 sip if your team’s player exits the field

Halftime Bonus Game:

  • If you sing along during a halftime performance, award 2 sips to another player
  • If the halftime performance is cringy, everyone takes 1 sip
  • 1 sip for every beer or fast food ad that plays

Quarter 3

  • 2 sips if opponent’s team scores back-to-back goals
  • 3 sips for any 50-meter penalty
  • Everyone sips if commentators argue
  • 3 sips if your team trails by 30 points at the end of the quarter

Quarter 4

  • If opponent’s team scores within the last 5 minutes, finish your drink
  • Everyone drinks if there’s a tie at any point in Q4
  • Drink a whole drink if your team loses

Post-Game Rules

  • Shake hands with your opponent
  • Make a Norm Smith prediction. Assign 3 drinks to opponents if you’re correct
  • 3 sips if a coach tears up
  • Everyone finishes beers during the Premiership Cup Lift

Of course, this game can be adapted to take into account other events. Make it your own and be sure to play responsibly!

The Player Watch

One of the simplest AFL drinking games on this list, this game is best if you print a list of all competing players before beginning. Cut these players’ names out and put them in a list. Then, choose one from each opposing team. You must then drink based on their in-game actions, whether good or bad. You must choose a new player each quarter.

Scoring

  • Take 1 sip for every kick or handball disposal of your player
  • Take 1 sip for every mark they take
  • Take 1 sip if another contestant’s player scores a behind
  • Take 3 sips if they miss a goal
  • Take 3 sips if another contestant’s player scores a goal
  • Finish half your drink if they give away a free kick
  • Finish your drink if your player is carded
  • If they get subbed out, finish your drink and draw a new player

This Australian rules football drinking game game requires close attention to detail, and while it may seem simple, the drinks can stack up. The random element of choosing a new player each quarter ensures games are dynamic, fair, and competitive.

Umpire/Commentator Madness

These two AFL drinking games are similar in that they center on the actions of the umpires and commentators rather than players. Some of the potential scoring options include:

Umpire Scoring

  • Everyone takes 2 sips if 50m penalty is awarded
  • Everyone takes 1 sip for a ridiculous decision
  • Everyone takes 2 drinks if a goal is overturned by review
  • Take 1 sip if a free kick is awarded against your team

Commentator Scoring

  • 1 sip for every cliche phrase uttered, such as “shake and bake” or “wowie!”
  • 1 additional sip every time the phrase is uttered
  • 1 sip for comments made by former player commentator
  • 2 sips for incorrect calls made by commentators

These games are versatile, and you may want to add them as bonus rules on the previously mentioned challenges.

The King of Quarters

The last of our footy drinking games requires creativity from its participants. You can either add this as a feature to the pre-mentioned drinking games or start from scratch with your own rules. It works by awarding the role of “Quarter King” or “Queen” to each player. If there are more than four players, different time limits can be assigned.

You will need a stopwatch, a pen, and paper to get started. To begin, the Quarter King creates their own rule, such as “1 sup for every time a hebind is scored.” Every five minutes of play, they can create a new rule that is added to the list. At the end of the quarter, the rule-creating role changes hands.

Players can also assign penalties for when rules are violated or if a Quarter King forgets to make a rule. The key to this game is to create rules that will throw your opponents, but beware that you must abide by them too.

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