Footy, Fire & Food: How to Host the Ultimate AFL Backyard BBQ Party

AFL season is back — and suddenly, every weekend has a purpose.

From season openers to fierce rivalry rounds, there’s no better excuse to get the mates around, fire up the grill and turn your backyard into the best seat in the house.

Early autumn in Australia is prime time for outdoor entertaining setup. The afternoons are still warm, the evenings bring that slight chill, and the light hangs around just long enough for a proper BBQ before the first bounce.

If you’re hosting footy this season, here’s how to do it right.

1. Create the Perfect AFL Backyard Viewing Zone

First rule of an AFL backyard party: everyone needs a clear view.

Whether you’re running:

• An outdoor TV under the patio
• A projector on the fence
• Or the big screen wheeled outside

Make it feel intentional.

Set up comfortable seating. Think about shade for afternoon matches. As the sun drops, lighting and warmth matter just as much as the scoreboard.

And here’s where most backyard setups fall short.

An outdoor fireplace doesn’t just add heat — it creates a natural gathering point. Before the game, during half-time, and long after the final siren, fire becomes the centre of the action.

Because if the umpire makes a questionable call, you want to hear the collective outrage properly.

2. Best BBQ Food for an AFL Party

AFL BBQ party gatherings aren’t the time for fancy plating.

Think:

• Snags
• Burgers
• Steaks
• Chicken wings
• Grilled corn

A solid outdoor BBQ grill keeps things simple and social. You’re flipping steaks while watching the game. You’re chatting while the sausages sizzle. No one’s stuck inside missing the action.

And during early autumn, cooking outdoors is still comfortable especially for those afternoon kick-offs.

3. Why a Wood-Fired Pizza Oven Changes Game Day

If you really want your place to be the go-to for footy season, add pizza to the mix.

A wood-fired pizza oven works perfectly for AFL:

• Easy to share
• Quick to cook
• Customisable for everyone

Prep toppings ahead of time and let guests build their own. It turns people from spectators into participants. The oven keeps things moving, the food keeps flowing, and no one’s waiting around.

It’s the kind of bonus that turns a standard BBQ fireplace into a full wood-fired entertaining station.

4. Use an Outdoor Fireplace to Extend Autumn Evenings

Autumn AFL matches often roll into cooler evenings.

Once the sun drops, you feel it.

Instead of:

• Everyone grabbing hoodies
• Or moving inside at the final siren

A fireplace keeps the energy alive. It adds warmth, atmosphere and a reason to stick around for post-game analysis — when the real debates begin.

In Australia, autumn entertainment is all about stretching those evenings just a little longer before winter sets in. Fire makes that effortless.

5. Keep the Drinks Easy

The focus is footy, not mixology.

Stock an ice tub with:

• Cold beers
• Seltzers
• Soft drinks in a big ice tub
• Maybe a jug of something simple

Keep it self-serve so you’re not playing bartender all day. The goal is to enjoy the match — not manage logistics.

6. Build The Proper Game-Day Atmosphere

The best AFL backyard parties aren’t fancy — they’re comfortable and full of energy.

• Team scarves on chairs
• Music playing before the bounce
• Plenty of food
• Plenty of banter

When your outdoor setup is dialled in, your backyard feels like a better version of the pub — without the crowds, queues or noise.

And let’s be honest: there’s something about watching your team win on your own turf that just hits differently.

Why AFL Season Is Perfect for Backyard Entertaining in Australia

AFL season lands at the perfect time of year.

Early autumn means:

• Warm afternoons
• Crisp evenings
• No scorching summer heat
• No winter chill (yet)

It’s the ideal window to upgrade your outdoor space before the colder months roll in.

If last season felt a bit makeshift — dragging chairs around, juggling heat sources, wishing you had more cooking space — now’s the time to fix it properly.

Especially with the free pizza oven insert promotion running until March 16, 2026.

It’s a simple way to turn a standard BBQ fireplace setup into a more versatile, wood-fired entertaining station — just in time for the biggest rivalry rounds and before winter hits.

Make Your Backyard the Go-To This Season

Hosting the ultimate AFL backyard BBQ isn’t complicated.

It’s about:

• Good mates
• Good food
• A reliable grill
• And a bit of fire once the temperature drops

But the right setup makes it effortless.

Because once the season heats up, you don’t want to be scrambling to upgrade halfway through.

You want to be ready from the first bounce.

Because let’s be honest, the only thing better than watching the footy…

…is watching it in your own backyard, surrounded by fire, food and a bit of healthy rivalry.