Champions Abroad, Chaos at Home: AFL London 2026 Gets Underway

Whilst the Wandsworth Demons Men's Premiership winning side were in Lyon, picking up their third consecutive Champions League title (courtesy of a thrilling extra time win over the Edinburgh Bloods), the West London Wildcats Women's Premiership winners were finishing third in their Champions League competition (behind Cork Vikings - themselves recording a remarkable fifth successive win), and the Wimbledon Hawks women were beating all-comers up in Scotland (Cambuslang Rugby Club) on their way to the Haggis Cup, there was plenty of action as AFL London 2026 season kicked off.

Photos courtesy of Wimbledon Hawks and Delphin Rouane of DR Photography

The Women's competition saw the bulk of the action with one game in the Women's Premiership and two in the Women's Conference, there was also one game in the Men's Socials.

Kicking off in the now five team Women's Premiership, following the Wimbledon Hawks promotion, we had the battle of the Swans as Waterhall Playing Fields saw the Sussex Swans entertain their counterparts from north of the river.

An entertaining encounter saw the points head back north of the river as the London Swans ran out 8.5.53 to 3.2.20. Goals for the London Swans came from Jaimie Wittervan and Maylis Chapelier both with three goals and one each for Maggie Minchin and Hannah Moss. Responding for the Sussex Swans were Ciara McGinlay, Holly Thoms and the ever impressive Andjelika Opacek.

Photos courtesy of Sussex Swans

It's not unfair to say the Hawks were totally dominant in the Women's Conference last year, and with their moving on up, the five team division should be a close fought thing this season. Kicking things off were one of last seasons play off makers the South East London Giants and the wooden spooners, the West London Wildcats 2nd team.

A tight tense encounter saw the sides play out a hard-fought 2.2.14 to 2.2.14 draw. The Cats lead early 1.0.6 to 0.0.0 thanks to Lorna McCutcheon, before the Giants responded through Suzi Taylor to take an 1.2.8 to 1.0.6 lead into the big break. Both sides traded goals in the third quarter, with Giants debutant Eleanor de Jersey and Cats Lucy Garden finding the target and at the end of the quarter the Giants lead 2.2.14 to 2.1.13. A tight final quarter followed, with the Cats levelling things up with a behind to give us the 14-all draw.

Photos courtesy of South East London Giants

The North London Lions were runners up last season and they started their campaign with a visit from the London Swans, who narrowly missed the play off on percentage. Both sides will be looking to go one better this time out.

The Lions were in unstoppable form though, and had jumped to a 3.2.20 to 0.0.0 first quarter lead, and stretched the lead to 35 points by half time 5.5.35 to 0.0.0. Three unanswered goals in the third quarter took the out to a 8.5.53 to 0.0. lead going into the final quarter, and as the Swans tired the Lions ran riot, running out 13.13.91 to 0.0.0 winners. Goals for the Lions coming from Meg Cauduro and Amy Pattison with four each, whilst Steph Daws, Kerryn Musson, Lucinda Lloyd Jones, Danielle Rowan and Hannah Yeates all notched one each.

Huge credit to a gallant London Swans who never gave up the fight.

In the Mens Socials the North London Lions hosted last seasons runners up the London Swans and what a thriller it was. The Lions jumped out to an early first quarter lead, taking a 2.1.13 to 0.0.0 lead into the break. If they dominated the first quarter it was all Swans in the second and they fired home three times to go in to the big break with a 3.1.19 to 2.1.13 lead.

The sides traded goals in the third quarter meaning the Swans went into the last quarter with a six point advantage 4.2.26 to 3.2.20. It was an exciting final period but the Swans stretched away with a couple of goals to register a 6.5.41 to 3.5.23 win.

On target for the Swans were Darcy Johnston with two, Gary Sheridan, Ashley Sly, Tyson Wyett and Nic Dazeley with one each ; with Larry Cullen (nope not a typo); Ryan Cox and Joshua Richmond replying for the Lions.

Photos courtesy of London Swans

Round 2 of AFL London will feature matches from Bounds Green and Hackney Marshes, keep an eye on AFL London's social pages for more information.