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Last Updated: January 2026
What is Draftstars?
Draftstars is Australia’s undisputed leader in Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). It is the home of large-field fantasy tournaments for the AFL, NRL, NBA, NFL, and Cricket.
Unlike traditional sports betting where you back a team to win, or season-long fantasy (like SuperCoach) where you are locked in for months, Draftstars allows you to draft a new team every single day. You act as the coach, managing a salary cap to build the ultimate lineup and competing for massive cash prize pools.
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How Draftstars Works
The core mechanic of Draftstars is the Salary Cap format. Skill beats luck here–you need to know your sport to win.
- Select Your Contest: Browse the ‘Lobby’ for your preferred sport (e.g., AFL, NBA) and buy-in level.
- Draft Your Team: You are given a virtual salary cap (usually $100,000). You must select a full squad of players without exceeding this cap.
- Enter Tournaments: Enter your lineup into a Guaranteed Prize Pool (GPP) tournament or a Head-to-Head battle.
- Live Scoring: Watch your team accumulate points in real-time based on their actual on-field performance (kicks, tries, tackles, rebounds).
- Win Cash: If your team scores enough points to finish in the paying positions (usually the top 25%), you win.
Sports Available
Draftstars covers all major Australian codes and the biggest international leagues.
Australian Rules (AFL)
AFL is the platform’s flagship sport. Contests range from single-game showdowns (e.g., Friday Night Footy) to “Saturday Slate” tournaments where you pick players from multiple games.
- Classic: Pick 9 players (2 Defenders, 4 Midfielders, 1 Ruck, 2 Forwards).
- Single Game: Focus on one specific match-up.
Rugby League (NRL)
Massive contests run throughout the NRL season, including State of Origin and the Grand Final. The scoring system rewards high work-rate players (tackles and hit-ups) as well as attacking flair.
US Sports (NBA & NFL)
- NBA: Draftstars offers huge daily contests for the NBA season. The “stacked” daily schedule matches perfectly with Australian mornings.
- NFL: The Monday morning (AEST) NFL slate is one of the most popular weekly events on the platform.
Cricket
Coverage includes the Big Bash League (BBL), Test Cricket, and One Day Internationals.
Game Types
| Game Type | Description | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Guaranteed (GPP) | Massive prize pools (e.g., $50k+) guaranteed by Draftstars regardless of entrants. | High risk, high reward. Aim for “ceiling” scores. |
| Rapidfire | Pick the winner of 5 player matchups (e.g., LeBron James vs Luka Doncic). Get 3/5 or 5/5 to win. | Great for beginners. |
| Head-to-Head | 1v1 contest. Winner takes all. | Focus on consistent, “safe” players. |
| Target | Reach a set score (e.g., 350 points) to instantly split the prize pool. | Statistical approach. |
Watch: Platform Overview
DFS Strategy Guide
1. Avoid the “Chalk”
In fantasy terms, “Chalk” refers to the most popular players that everyone selects. If you want to win a large tournament (GPP), you can’t just pick the same team as everyone else. You need to find “PODs” (Point of Difference players)–guys with low ownership who have a breakout game.
2. Correlation & Stacking
In sports like AFL and NFL, performance is often correlated. If a team wins by 60 points, their midfielders likely dominated possession and their forwards kicked goals. “Stacking” multiple players from the same winning team is a proven strategy to maximise your score ceiling.
3. Late News is King
DFS is won and lost in the 15 minutes before lock-out. Late withdrawals or “subs” starting on the ground can ruin a lineup. Always check final team sheets.
Scoring Systems
Each sport uses a unique scoring system tailored to highlight player impact.
AFL Scoring
- Goal: +6 points
- Tackle: +4 points (High Value)
- Kick: +3 points
- Mark: +3 points
- Handball: +2 points
- Hitout: +1 point
- Free Kick For/Against: +3 / -3 points
NRL Scoring
- Try: +8 points
- Try Assist: +5 points
- Line Break: +4 points
- Tackle: +1 point
- Missed Tackle: -2 points
- Run Metres: +0.1 point per metre
NBA Scoring
- Point: +1 point
- Rebound: +1.25 points
- Assist: +1.5 points
- Steal/Block: +2 points
- Turnover: -0.5 points
- 3-Pointer Bonus: +0.5 points
- Double-Double: +2 points
- Triple-Double: +2 points
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Draftstars legal in Australia?
Yes. Draftstars is a fully licensed fantasy sports operator in Australia.
How do I withdraw winnings?
Winnings are credited to your account immediately after the contest is finalised. You can withdraw via bank transfer. You will need to verify your ID (GreenID) before your first withdrawal.
Can I edit my team after entering?
Yes. You can edit your lineup as many times as you like up until “lock-out” (the official start time of the match).
Conclusion
Draftstars is the premier destination for Australian sports fans who want to test their knowledge against the country. It combines the excitement of live sport with the strategy of list management. Whether you are an AFL stat-nerd or an NBA enthusiast, Draftstars offers the best daily fantasy experience in the market.
Ready to play?
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