Australia
Irish fans wake early to support AFLW teams
Dedicated Irish families are hosting large early morning viewing parties to follow the AFLW competition from the other side of the world.
Irish households are waking up in the middle of the night to follow the progress of the AFL Women's competition, with families across Ireland hosting sizeable viewing parties for key matches.
According to a wire report, the significant timezone difference between Ireland and Australia has not deterred dedicated international supporters. Fans are regularly disrupting their sleep schedules to watch live AFLW broadcasts, with some households hosting gatherings of more than 30 people to watch major games together in the early hours of the morning.
While the exact number of regular viewers across the country remains unconfirmed, the phenomenon highlights a growing international audience for the premier Australian rules women's league. The interest is heavily driven by local connections, as numerous Irish athletes have successfully crossed code from Gaelic football to secure contracts with AFLW clubs.
Because of the physical distance and time difference, matches scheduled for afternoon slots in states like Victoria or South Australia are broadcast during the late night or pre-dawn hours in Irish towns. To accommodate these challenging times, families are reportedly establishing collective viewing routines, turning lone television broadcasts into vibrant, community events.
At this stage, official broadcasting networks have not released comprehensive viewership data detailing exactly how many Irish households tune in weekly. However, the grass-roots enthusiasm reported in local communities suggests the sport is establishing a permanent foothold far beyond its traditional Australian market.
It will be worth watching whether the AFL introduces more favourable broadcast times or promotional initiatives in Ireland to support this growing overseas fan base ahead of the next season.
This report draws on original reporting by Wire report.
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