The sport we’re watching in August 2026

Posted by Phil Logan, 31 July 2026, 10:00 AM

Image credit: Walkinshaw TWG Racing

Us writers here at the Well Connected blog love bringing you these streaming guides, especially when we get the chance to chat about something so Australian: sport.

Whether you’re hyped for every hit in the NRL, watch every mark of the AFL, scream through every corner taken sharply in the Formula 1, or cheer on Chaz to win the Supercars (we love him), we’ll cover the best upcoming sport and give you the highlights of what’s going on.

Available across select Optus plans is a perk that allows you to control your subscriptions in one place and unlock cost savings. Eligible streaming services include Netflix, Prime Video, Paramount+, Kayo for the sports-heads, as well as a long list of others.

Here are the perks you get with select Optus plans:

Postpaid plans: Save up to 10% every month on subscriptions through Optus ⁽¹⁾
Postpaid Promo Plan: Get a $10/month credit toward subscriptions of your choice for 12 months through Optus (offer available until withdrawn)⁽²⁾
Postpaid Large Choice Plus Plan: Get a $20/month credit toward subscriptions of your choice for as long as you remain on this plan through Optus ⁽³⁾
Choice Plus Data Plan: Save up to 10% on subscriptions every month through Optus ⁽⁴⁾

Supercars

The 2026 Supercars Championship is already in high gear, with the 14 round, 37 race season featuring 11 teams of Supras, Mustangs and Camaros. Brodie Kostecki leads the wins column with 6 victories and 5 pole position, with Broc Feeney (Redbull Ampol Racing) is close behind with 4 wins.

Here are the August must-watch rounds:

Perth Super 440 (31 July – 2 August)
Ipswich Super 440 (21 August – 23 August)
Both rounds are crucial to the Sprint Cup standings before the season shifts into enduro mode

AFL and AFLW

The 2026 Premiership season so far has been an exciting one, with major rule changes to the centre-bounce sparking off field conversation. On the field, it’s mostly been the footy doing the talking. Fremantle kicked off with an exceptional start – 16 wins from 18 games. They cCurrently sit atop the ladder on 64 points.

Games to watch out for this August:

Western Australia Derby-adjacent between Fremantle and Western Bulldogs (Round 21, 30 July – 2 August), as well as St Kilda v Swans and Carlton v Brisbane
Round 22 sees Sydney v Port Adelaide, Geelong v Essendon, as well as the big clash between Melbourne and Fremantle at the MCG (6 August – 9 August)

The 2026 AFLW season kicks off 9 August, with the league currently in pre-season preparation.

Some exciting games coming up in August:

Collingwood host Richmond at IKON park (15 August)
Adelaide takes on Sydney at Unley Oval (16 August)
AFLW Dreamtime in Darwin match will be a blockbuster – Essendon v Richmond at TIO Stadium (30 August)

NRL and NRLW

The 2026 NRL season is in full flight, with finals only a month away. Panthers currently at the top of the table with 32 points, with the Warriors and Roosters right behind at 2nd and 3rd with 30 points each.

Games to watch this August:

Queensland derby – Dolphins v Brisbane (8 August)
Warriors v Penrith – reigning premieres travel to Aukland (7 August)
Sydney rivalry – Canterbury v South Sydney (14 August)

The 2026 NRLW season commenced early last month, and it's still early days to consider which team may take the title this year. Roosters and Broncos look like the frontrunners – 1st and 2nd respectively.

Games to watch this August:

Kinghts v Warriors (8 August)
Broncos v Roosters (15 August)
Bulldogs v Raiders (22 August)

pitstop crew work on replacing the tires to a formula one car

Image credit: Adobe Stock

Formula 1

_{(written by Well Connected writer, Zachariah Kelly)}

The Formula 1 is on its mid-season break for the moment and we're 11 races into the 2026 season. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli currently leads on the points (219 points), with Ferrari driver and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton in second on 169 points. The constructor’s championship is currently led by Mercedes with 379 points, followed by Ferrari with 307 points.

Only one F1 Grand Prix this month, the Dutch Grand Prix on August 23.

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Disclaimers

Save up to 10% every month on subscriptions when you add three or more eligible subscriptions in Optus SubHub. Eligible customers and services. Group discounts apply outside free/trial periods.
$10 credit per month offer on $79 Optus Plus Promo Plan: Available until withdrawn. Forfeited if you cancel, move to an ineligible plan, or recontract. Must have paid subscription costs via SubHub greater than $0/mth to receive up to $10/mth credit for 12 consecutive months. Credit forfeited in months with no paid subscriptions via SubHub within credit period.
SubHub credit on the Large Optus Choice Plus plan: Available until withdrawn to new and existing Consumer and Business customers signing up to a Large Optus Choice Plus/Optus Choice/Business Choice/Business Choice Plus plan. Customer must have an active SubHub account with paid subscription costs greater than $0/mth to receive ongoing SubHub credit up to $20/mth maximum, depending on total of customers’ paid subscription costs (any difference between the total costs and $20 is forfeited). Credit will commence with first charge of paid subscription and continue each month. Credit forfeited if there are no paid subscriptions via SubHub in a particular month. Offer forfeited if you cancel, move to an ineligible plan, or recontract your plan (including by adding or removing a device payment plan). Limited to 1 SubHub credit per eligible plan.
Save up to 10% every month on subscriptions when you add three or more eligible subscriptions in Optus SubHub. Eligible customers and services. Group discounts apply outside free/trial periods.

entertainment sport

Phil Logan is a writer at Optus, specialising in service and business. With a keen interest in gaming and pop-culture, Phil has written several articles for the Optus Well Connected blog. When he’s not writing about the latest tech, he’s obsessing over football (soccer, for some) and AFL.