Brandwave

AFL vs Super Smash:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, AFL had more branded searches than Super Smash among sports leagues in New Zealand. AFL had about 175,000 branded searches, while Super Smash had 480. AFL made up 4.7% of all sports league searches we track, and Super Smash accounted for 0.01%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about sports leagues, Super Smash appeared in two of the five answers and AFL in none.

Among sports leagues in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

AFL, about 365 searches for every 1 for Super Smash

AFL 175K searchesSuper Smash 480 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Super Smash, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, AFL in 0

Super Smash in 2 of 5AFL in 0 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Super Smash, the only one of the two named

Super Smash first in 2AFL never named

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Top sports leagues in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Super Smash was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. AFL did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Super Rugby Pacific1st
  2. NRL2nd
  3. NFL3rd
  4. Premier League4th
  5. A-League5th
  6. NBA6th
  7. Super Smash7th
  8. AFL–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • NRL3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • A-League3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Super Rugby Pacific3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Premier League2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • NFL2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • NBA2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Super Smash2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • AFL0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about sports leagues

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.

Is AFL or Super Smash more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for AFL and Super Smash by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight sports leagues we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

AFL and Super Smash among sports leagues in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for AFL, Super Smash. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthNRLPremier LeagueNFLA-LeagueAFLNBASuper Rugby PacificSuper Smash
Oct 202514.8%23.6%17.3%14.2%0.52%29.2%0.34%0.03%
Nov 20253.6%23.1%15.5%14.5%0.27%42.8%0.25%0.05%
Dec 20251.8%28.9%14.7%18.8%0.13%34.1%0.19%1.3%
Jan 20262.1%25.2%16.7%17.3%0.15%32.7%0.59%5.2%
Feb 20269.3%26.3%3%16.3%0.27%26.6%18.2%0.06%
Mar 202629.2%17.9%0.52%10.1%1.5%22.6%18.1%0.01%
Apr 202633%15.2%0.78%8.8%1.7%24%16.5%<0.01%
May 202629.7%16.8%0.24%8.4%1.5%28.8%14.5%<0.01%
Jun 202647.8%1.1%0.48%0.66%2%32.4%15.6%<0.01%
Jul 202684.7%2.9%0.71%1.6%4.1%5.1%0.92%<0.01%
Aug 202676.4%11%2.1%5.5%2.9%1.8%0.33%<0.01%
Sep 202659.8%15.2%11.3%6.9%4.7%1.8%0.34%0.01%

How has the AFL and Super Smash comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Super Smash took it in December 2025, AFL took it in February 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, AFL’s share of searches among sports leagues in New Zealand moved from 0.52% to 4.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 13K to 175K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Super Smash’s share of searches among sports leagues in New Zealand moved from 0.03% to 0.01%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 720 to 480.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand sports leagues in September 2026?

3 changes

  1. In September 2026, NFL overtook A-League and AFL to rank 3rd among sports leagues in New Zealand, with 11.3% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, AFL gained share of searches among sports leagues in New Zealand, from 2.9% to 4.7%.

  3. Estimated monthly branded searches for Super Smash in New Zealand fell 33.3% over 12 measured months, from 720 to 480 in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

15 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using AFL’s and Super Smash’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

AFL

14 branded search terms

  • afl
  • afl collingwood
  • afl draw
  • afl fixture
  • afl grand
  • afl ladder
  • afl live
  • afl live scores
  • afl match
  • afl results
  • afl results today
  • afl scores
  • afl teams
  • afl w

Super Smash

1 branded search term

  • super smash

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among sports leagues

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