How to watch Geelong vs Carlton – AFL Elimination Final 1 2026
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Geelong Cats face Carlton in the AFL First Elimination Final on Friday, September 4th, 2026, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with the bounce at 7:40 PM AEST. The loser goes home, and the winner advances to a semi-final, so there is no second chance for either side. Geelong finished in the top six after the home-and-away season, while Carlton fought through the wildcard round to keep its campaign alive. The Blues also hold a surprising recent edge in this matchup, having won the last three meetings between the two clubs.
For viewers in Australia, the match is free on Channel 7 and 7plus. For fans in the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand, and elsewhere, local coverage sits behind paid broadcasters such as TNT Sports, Fox Sports US, TSN, and Sky Sport NZ. The good news is that the free 7plus stream can be accessed from overseas with a VPN connected to an Australian server. Kickoff converts to 10:40 AM BST in the UK, 5:40 AM EDT / 2:40 AM PDT in the US, and 9:40 PM NZST in New Zealand.
Where to watch Geelong vs Carlton
Below is a complete overview of where to watch the AFL First Elimination Final live around the world.
| Region | Free option | Paid option |
| Australia | Channel 7 / 7plus | Kayo Sports / Foxtel (from $29.99/month) |
| The United Kingdom | 7plus via AU VPN | TNT Sports (from £40.98/month) |
| The United States | 7plus via AU VPN | Fox Sports US (from $19.99/month) |
| Canada | 7plus via AU VPN | TSN (from CA$24.99/month) |
| New Zealand | 7plus via AU VPN | Sky Sport NZ (from NZ$29.99 for Day Pass) |
| Global | 7plus via AU VPN | WatchAFL (from $72.00) |
In Australia, Channel 7 and 7plus carry every final for free, and the Grand Final is exclusive to Seven, meaning it is not available on Foxtel or Kayo Sports. Kayo Sports and Foxtel show all other finals ad-free. 7plus is geo-restricted to Australia, so overseas viewers need an Australian IP address to unlock it.
How to watch Geelong vs Carlton for free with a VPN
7plus is the official free streaming home of Channel 7's AFL coverage in Australia. The platform is ad-supported, so no subscription is required, only a free account. However, 7plus is geo-restricted and only works with an Australian IP address. If you are in the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand, or anywhere else outside Australia, you will need a VPN to access the free live stream.
- Choose a VPN with Australian servers. We recommend NordVPN for streaming. It operates thousands of fast servers worldwide, including multiple Australian locations, and its NordLynx protocol keeps live HD sport smooth. You can read more in our NordVPN review.
- Download and install the VPN app. NordVPN supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, smart TVs, and streaming sticks, so you can watch on your preferred device.
- Connect to an Australian server. Open the app and select Australia. This gives you an Australian IP address, which is what 7plus checks. Our guide on how to change your location with a VPN explains how server selection works.
- Go to 7plus. Open the site in your browser or launch the 7plus app with the VPN still connected.
- Create a free account and stream live. Registration requires an email address and an Australian postcode, for example 3000 for Melbourne. Then find the Geelong vs Carlton live stream and start watching.
Best VPNs to watch Geelong vs Carlton
- NordVPN – best overall choice for streaming. NordVPN starts at $3.49/month and runs tons of servers across 224 locations, including multiple Australian locations. Its NordLynx protocol held about 83% of our tested baseline speeds, and Smart DNS support makes it easy to watch on smart TVs. Read our full NordVPN review for details.
- Surfshark – most affordable option. Surfshark starts at $2.49/month with unlimited simultaneous connections and 4,500+ servers in 100 countries. The WireGuard protocol keeps roughly 82% of baseline speeds in our tests, which is plenty for smooth HD streaming of the finals. See our Surfshark review for more.
- Proton VPN – best for privacy-conscious users. Proton VPN is based in Switzerland under strong privacy laws and runs 20,688+ servers in 148 countries. It offers a solid free plan, while the premium version starts at $2.99/month and unblocks Australian streaming reliably. Check our Proton VPN review for the full picture.
How to watch in the UK, the US, Canada, and New Zealand
How to watch in the United Kingdom
TNT Sports holds the AFL rights in the UK and will show the elimination final live. Kickoff is at 10:40 AM BST on Friday, September 4th, a convenient late-morning start. Check TNT Sports for current subscription pricing. Alternatively, UK viewers can watch for free on 7plus by connecting to an Australian VPN server and following the steps above.
How to watch in the United States
Fox Sports US carries AFL coverage in the United States. The match starts at 5:40 AM EDT / 2:40 AM PDT on Friday, September 4th, so it is an early one for American fans. The free 7plus stream via an Australian VPN server is the budget-friendly alternative, especially if you plan to watch on replay later in the day.
How to watch in Canada
TSN broadcasts AFL in Canada, with the same North American start times as the US: 5:40 AM EDT / 2:40 AM PDT on Friday, September 4th. Canadian viewers can also use an Australian VPN server to access the free 7plus stream instead.
How to watch in New Zealand
Sky Sport NZ shows the AFL finals in New Zealand. Kickoff is at 9:40 PM NZST on Friday, September 4th, a prime-time slot for Kiwi viewers. The free option is again 7plus through an Australian VPN server.
How to watch from anywhere else
WatchAFL is the AFL's official international streaming service and covers every final live and on demand for viewers outside Australia. It is a paid service, with season and finals passes available at watchafl.com.au. If you prefer a free option, 7plus with an Australian VPN server works from virtually any country.
Why you need a VPN to watch the AFL finals abroad
Broadcasters pay for the right to show AFL only in specific countries. That is why the same match is free on 7plus in Australia but locked behind paid subscriptions in the UK, US, Canada, and New Zealand. When you try to open 7plus from overseas, the platform detects your foreign IP address and blocks the stream.
A VPN routes your connection through a server in another country. Connect to an Australian server, and 7plus sees an Australian IP address and lets the free stream play. This is a legitimate way to access a free, ad-supported broadcaster while you are abroad, not a workaround for paid content. For a wider comparison of providers, see our guide to the best VPNs for streaming.
Geelong vs Carlton match preview
The First Elimination Final is a sudden-death clash between two clubs arriving from very different paths. Geelong secured its finals place through the home-and-away season, continuing its run as one of the competition's most consistent performers. The Cats are playing to keep alive their push for another premiership after falling short in last year's Grand Final against Brisbane.
Carlton took the longer road. The Blues finished 10th after the home-and-away rounds with a 12-10-1 record and had to win a wildcard final just to reach this stage. They arrive with momentum, though, and a curious hold over Geelong: Carlton has won the last three meetings between the clubs, including a start-to-finish upset at the MCG in Round 12 this season. That record makes the Blues a genuine threat despite their lower seeding.
For Geelong, experienced heads such as Tom Stewart and Max Holmes will be central to steadying the contest in front of a big Friday night MCG crowd. For Carlton, this is a chance to turn a season of narrow escapes into a deep finals run. Lose, and the season is over on the spot.
FAQ
What time does Geelong vs Carlton start?
The First Elimination Final starts at 7:40 PM AEST on Friday, September 4th, 2026, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. That is 10:40 AM BST in the UK, 5:40 AM EDT / 2:40 AM PDT in the US, and 9:40 PM NZST in New Zealand.
What channel is the AFL final on in the UK?
TNT Sports holds the AFL rights in the UK and will show Geelong vs Carlton live. UK viewers can also watch free on 7plus by connecting to an Australian VPN server.
What channel is the AFL final on in the US?
Fox Sports US carries the AFL finals in the United States. Kickoff is early on Friday morning, 5:40 AM EDT / 2:40 AM PDT, so the free 7plus stream via VPN is a popular alternative for replays.
How can I watch Geelong vs Carlton for free from overseas?
The match is free on 7plus in Australia. From overseas, connect a VPN to an Australian server, go to 7plus.com.au, and create a free account with an Australian postcode such as 3000. The full step-by-step guide is above.
Is the AFL Grand Final on Foxtel or Kayo?
No. The Grand Final is exclusive to Channel 7 and 7plus in Australia. Kayo Sports and Foxtel show every other final, but the decider is only available free-to-air.
