This Sunday, our women’s team will run out in their Pride guernsey against Carlton at Henson Park. It marks our club’s fourth home AFLW Pride Game, celebrating diversity, inclusion and belonging across the game and recognising the contributions of LGBTQI+ communities to AFLW.
Sydney has a proud history of the Pride Game, with the AFL team having played Fremantle in the first ever AFL Pride Game in the pre-season of 2015 at Drummoyne Oval. The following year, the club joined St Kilda in playing an in-season Pride Game in Melbourne, then reciprocated hosting the match in 2017 – which marked the first Pride Game in Sydney for premiership points.
While the Sydney Swans host the only Pride Game in the AFL, the AFLW team hosted their First Pride Game in 2022.
Our Pride Game is in line with the AFLW Pride Round, celebrated across Rounds 9 and 10 of the 2026 NAB AFLW Season. It is the seventh occasion the competition has held a dedicated Pride Round.
Reflecting its geographic home in the heart of Sydney, the Swans became the first professional sporting team to enter a float in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, a tradition we have maintained for several consecutive years.
Why Pride Game?
Swans Pride games are a celebration of diversity aimed at ensuring everyone feels welcome and included at the football. For the first time this year, our women’s team will run out through a rainbow banner bearing the message “Everyone is welcome.”
LGBTIQA+ Pride is one of the pillars of the Sydney Swans Diversity Action Plan (DAP) as rainbow communities – and indeed our Rainbow Swans – are part of the fabric of our football club. We work with organisations like our Pride Partner Adora Fertility and our DAP Partner Twenty10 to help build understanding and support through education.
The Sydney Swans have been committed to a Diversity Action Plan, which is a joint initiative of the club’s Board, staff, players and community leaders. Its intention is to formalise meaningful commitments in 4 key areas: disability empowerment, multicultural inclusion the advancement of women and LGBTIQA+ Pride. The DAP is currently undergoing independent review to help shape the next evolution of the strategy.
What’s on this Sunday?
Pride Game at Henson Park will feature plenty of colour and entertainment as women’s football continues to bring festival vibes to the backyard of the Inner West.
AFLW Round 9
Sydney Swans v Carlton
📍 Henson Park
📅 Sunday, 11 October
⏰ Gates Open: 1:30pm. Ball up 3:05pm
🎫 Get Tickets
Match Day Partner: Adora Fertility
Adora Fertility is the proud fertility partner of the Sydney Swans, helping more people grow their families in more ways. Since 2025, Adora Fertility hae been the club's Official Pride Partner.
