The AFL industry will celebrate the excellence and the contribution of First Nations people to the game of Australian Rules Football over the next fortnight, with the 2026 Sir Doug Nicholls Round launching today in Melbourne.
Held across Round 10 and 11 of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, this season marks the 11th year of honouring Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls as the namesake.
From 2026, Sir Doug Nicholls Round will be underpinned by an enduring theme that consistently carries across years: ‘Strengthened by First Nations. Moments. Connections. Stories.’
The theme provides an opportunity for the AFL, clubs and players to showcase defining moments, people, and stories that celebrate the sporting legacy of First Nations people within the game and beyond, and that the game is stronger when First Nations players are at the heart of it.
The AFL today has also announced the launch of the First Nations Impact Fund ahead of Sir Doug Nicholls Round. The fund will reinvest royalties from Sir Doug Nicholls Round merchandise into initiatives delivered in partnership with AFL clubs that support the growth and engagement of First Nations people in the game.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said:
"Sir Doug Nicholls Round continues to be one of the most meaningful rounds on the AFL calendar, celebrating the profound contribution of First Nations people to the game past, present and future," Dillon said.
“Today we are proud to launch the AFL First Nations Impact Fund, with royalties from the Sir Doug Nicholls Round merchandise going towards partnering with Clubs to invest in initiatives that support First Nations people.
"We reinforce the AFL's First Nations Strategy is an industry-wide commitment alongside our clubs and partners, across both men’s and women’s competitions focusing on attracting, retaining and valuing First Nations excellence on and off the field.
“Michael McLean has made an incredible impact on the game both on and off the field, and we are very proud to formerly recognise his contributions and highlight his achievement on a national scale over the next two weeks as this year's Honouree."
AFL General Manager First Nations and Inclusion Taryn Lee said:
“The AFL First Nations Impact Fund is about strengthening how we work together with clubs to deliver meaningful outcomes aligned to our First Nations Strategy. By partnering with clubs and reinvesting royalties from Sir Doug Nicholls Round merchandise, we are directly investing in the future of First Nations participation in our game,” Lee said.
“We have set a goal of 111 First Nations players by 2030, and achieving this requires coordinated effort across the industry. This fund ensures we’re backing that ambition with sustained investment and collaboration with clubs.
"What makes this fund unique is that it connects fans directly to that impact. When supporters purchase Sir Doug Nicholls Round merchandise, they’re not just buying a Guernsey, they are supporting First Nations stories, culture and community, and helping fund programs that deliver real outcomes aligned to our industry-wide commitment and First Nations Strategy.
“Clubs are crucial to this work. Through strong partnerships, we can deliver targeted initiatives that not only grow First Nations participation, but strengthen connection to culture and community, and create more supported pathways into our game.”
In 2026 there are 62 AFL and 20 AFLW players who identify as First Nations.
Sir Doug Nicholls Round begins in Brisbane on Thursday 14 May with the Brisbane Lions hosting Geelong at the Gabba, before a double header on Friday night with the annual Marn Grook game between the Sydney Swans and Collingwood at the SCG, and Gold Coast and Port Adelaide at TIO Stadium in Darwin.
The annual Dreamtime at the 'G match between Essendon and Richmond will again be held on a Friday night and played during the second week of Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
In celebration of the round, all 18 clubs and AFL umpires will wear specially designed uniforms recognising First Nations culture, six have chosen to adopt an Indigenous language name and ground signage will feature First Nations symbols and flags at all AFL matches across the two weeks.
The NAB AFL Auskickers will wear specially designed t-shirts when they run onto the ground at half time. The 2026 Sir Doug Nicholls Round Auskick uniform has been designed by 11-year-old Jed Bennell, a Noongar-Yamatji boy from Western Australia.
