The start to the 2026 AFL and NRL seasons was marred by technical difficulties on the Kayo Sports streaming platform, leaving many fans unable to watch live games. The outages, occurring Thursday night as matches began, coincided with a significant price increase for the service, fueling frustration among subscribers. The situation has raised concerns about the reliability of Kayo as the exclusive home for Saturday AFL games, a consequence of the league’s recent broadcast rights deal.
Kayo, owned by Foxtel, recently increased the price of its premium package from $35 to $45.99 per month, adding up to an annual cost of $552. This price hike, coupled with the technical issues experienced during live broadcasts, has sparked a wave of criticism on social media and prompted questions about the value proposition for sports fans. The timing is particularly sensitive given the AFL’s decision to move all Saturday games behind a paywall, accessible only through Kayo or Foxtel.
Technical Issues and User Frustration
Reports of outages began Thursday evening, with fans taking to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to express their disappointment and frustration. Many were unable to access both AFL and NRL games, experiencing buffering issues or being completely locked out of the streams. Although Kayo quickly issued a statement acknowledging the problems, stating that “some customers experienced an issue whilst trying to log in for a short period of time,” the incident highlighted the vulnerability of relying solely on a streaming service for live sports coverage. A Kayo spokesperson added that their teams “quickly resolved the issue, ensuring strong viewership across our live sports for the rest of the weekend.”
The outages came as Kayo rolled out a redesign of its app, suggesting potential teething problems with the new platform. However, Foxtel CEO Patrick Delaney, in an interview with The Age in February, attributed most technical issues to users’ home setups, citing strain on Wi-Fi and broadband connections due to multiple devices streaming simultaneously. “It’s not necessarily because You’ll see a lot of users from our end,” Delaney said. “It’s usually because in the home, either the Wi-Fi or the broadband is being stretched.”
The AFL’s Broadcast Rights Deal and the Kayo Dependence
The current situation is particularly concerning for the AFL, which signed a landmark $4.5 billion broadcast rights deal in 2025. A key component of this deal was the move to make Saturday AFL games exclusive to Kayo and Foxtel, effectively ending free-to-air coverage on Saturdays. This decision, as reported by The Age, has been widely criticized by fans who lament the loss of accessible coverage. Now, with Kayo facing technical issues and increasing prices, the risk of widespread disruption to Saturday broadcasts looms large.
The sale of Foxtel by News Corp to DAZN for $3.4 billion shortly after the AFL rights deal was finalized has likewise raised questions about the long-term investment in sports broadcasting. Reports from The Age suggest that DAZN may be reluctant to shoulder the full financial burden of the AFL rights, potentially leading to further cost-cutting measures or price increases.
Kayo Defends Price Increases and Investment
Despite the criticism, Kayo maintains that its price increases are justified by its significant investment in sports rights and production. The company states it invests $1 billion annually, contributing to the funding of sporting leagues and community programs. In a statement, a Kayo spokesperson said they have “worked hard to ensure the monthly subscription for entry level Kayo remains the same at $29.99 per month, ensuring our world leading 50-sports live remains accessible for sport fans, while Premium with two streams remains a great option for families at $45.99 per month.” Delaney echoed this sentiment, arguing that Kayo offers “the best live sports product in the world” with its extensive coverage of 50 sports.
However, the recent experience has clearly shaken the confidence of some fans. The prospect of being unable to watch a crucial Saturday AFL game due to technical issues, with no free-to-air alternative, is a real concern. The AFL has attempted to mitigate this risk by expanding Opening Round, reinstating State of Origin, and introducing a Wildcard Round, adding value to the broadcast deal. But these additions do little to address the core issue of reliability on Saturdays.
The league is walking a tightrope, balancing the financial benefits of the broadcast deal with the need to maintain fan engagement and accessibility. The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining whether Kayo can deliver a stable and reliable streaming experience, or if the AFL’s gamble on a paywall-exclusive Saturday broadcast will backfire.
The next key date for updates will be Kayo’s planned announcement regarding improvements to its streaming infrastructure, expected in early April. Fans and the AFL alike will be watching closely to notice if these changes address the concerns raised by the recent outages and price increases.
What are your thoughts on the Kayo outages and price hikes? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below, and feel free to share this article with fellow sports fans.
