This Isn't Fantasy.
This Is Draftstars.

What Is Draftstars?

"Picture this: your deep knowledge of sport finally putting real dollars in your pocket. Not luck, not chance — your actual expertise becomes your greatest asset. That's exactly what Draftstars offers."

Draftstars is Australia's leading Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) platform, owned and operated by PlayUp — one of Australia's fastest-growing sports entertainment companies. As one of the only genuinely Aussie-owned fantasy apps on the market, Draftstars was built by locals for locals, with a deep understanding of the sports that matter most to fans across Australia and New Zealand. Since launching, it has grown into the country's premier DFS destination, boasting hundreds of thousands of registered players and daily contests running around the clock.

What's Daily Fantasy Sports, Then?

Unlike traditional sports betting where you're simply picking a winner and hoping for the best, DFS is a genuine contest of knowledge, skill and strategy. You build a virtual lineup from real-life athletes — selecting your squad within a defined salary cap — and those players earn you points based on their actual on-field performance during a real match. Kick a goal in AFL? That's points. Grab a rebound in the NBA? More points. Score a try in the NRL? You're flying up the leaderboard.

The beauty of DFS is that there's no season-long commitment dragging you along for months. Each contest is completely self-contained — one match, one lineup, one shot at glory. You can play on a Wednesday night NRL game, cash out your winnings, and dive straight into a Friday AFL slate. Every day is a fresh start, and every day is a new opportunity to turn your sport knowledge into real money.

Unlike pure luck-based games, DFS rewards the punter who does their homework. Research players' recent form, understand match-ups, track injury lists and build smarter lineups than the competition. The more effort you put in, the better your results tend to be. It's sport betting with your brain switched on.

Part of the PlayUp Ecosystem

Draftstars sits at the heart of the PlayUp sporting ecosystem, which also includes the fixed-odds bookmaker NextBet — Australia's rising online sports betting platform. When you sign up to Draftstars, you'll notice the iconic "DRAFTSTARS ✦ + NEXTBET" branding front and centre. That's because a single account connects you to both platforms, giving you access to daily fantasy contests on Draftstars and traditional fixed-odds betting on NextBet — all under one roof, all with one login. Two of Australia's best sports platforms, one ripper of an account. PlayUp operates with 24/7 Australian customer service, a dedicated local support team and a genuine commitment to the Aussie sports fan.

How to Get Started on Draftstars

Getting into the action on Draftstars is easier than ordering a flat white. The whole process — from signing up to submitting your first lineup — takes less than ten minutes. Here's exactly how it works, step by step.

1. Create Your Account

   Head to draftstars.com.au and hit the SIGN UP button. You'll need to pick a unique Username (this is how you'll appear on leaderboards), enter your Email address and create a Password. The promo code field comes pre-filled with WELCOME — leave it in for your new-member bonus. Under Australian law, all licensed gambling platforms are required to complete a KYC (Know Your Customer) verification — so you'll need to confirm your full name, date of birth and residential address. This is standard practice and keeps the platform safe for everyone. You must be 18 years of age or older to register.

2. Deposit Funds

   Once your account is verified, it's time to load up your wallet. Draftstars offers several convenient and secure deposit methods: credit/debit cards (Visa and Mastercard), BPAY, PayID and direct bank transfer. Most deposits are instant. Set yourself a realistic budget before you start and stick to it — only deposit an amount you're genuinely comfortable losing. The platform also offers Pre-Commitment Deposit Limits, which let you cap your weekly or monthly deposits to keep things responsible.

3. Pick a Contest

   Open the Lobby and browse the full range of available contests across all your favourite sports. As a newcomer, your first port of call should be contests marked with the blue pyramid icon — these are Casual Contests, exclusively for new and beginner players. Experienced and elite players are simply not allowed in. It's a genuine fair go, and there's no better place to cut your teeth without going up against seasoned sharks on day one. Contest entry fees, prize pool sizes and the number of entries are all displayed upfront — no surprises.

4. Build Your Lineup

   This is where the fun really begins. Browse the full player list, sorted by position, average score or salary, and assemble your squad within the allocated salary cap. Click any player's name for a detailed breakdown of recent stats, form and projected ownership — crucial intel for building a lineup that's both smart and contrarian. Before locking in, double-check the player status tags: N (Named to play), C (Confirmed in the final lineup) and O (Out — do not pick under any circumstances). Once you've filled every position within the salary cap, hit Submit Lineup and you're in the game.

5. Sweat Your Results in Real Time

   Once the match kicks off, the Draftstars platform updates your lineup score in real time — live, ball by ball, play by play. You can see exactly where you sit on the leaderboard at any given moment, watch rivals gain ground or fall back, and experience the full intensity of sport from a completely new angle. Whether you're watching on the couch, following the radio on the drive home or sneaking looks at your phone at the pub — there's nothing quite like watching your lineup go from mid-table to the top three in the final quarter.

6. Review, Learn and Improve

   Win, lose or draw — every contest is an education. After each game, head back into the results screen and study the lineups of the top finishers. What players did they pick that you didn't? What strategies did they use? On Draftstars, you can view the full lineup of any player in any contest — it's like having the answer sheet to every exam, and it's completely free. Combine this with the resources in Draftstars Coach and the PlayBook strategy blog, and you'll be improving your DFS game faster than you ever thought possible.

Game Modes

Draftstars isn't a one-trick pony. One of the platform's greatest strengths is the sheer variety of ways you can play. Whether you're a meticulous analyst who spends hours researching match-ups, a casual fan who wants a quick flutter on the weekend footy, or a competitive beast who thrives on head-to-head battles — Draftstars has a format built exactly for you.

Additional Contest Types

Beyond the four core game modes, Draftstars offers a range of specialised contest structures designed to cater to different risk appetites and playing styles. Here's a breakdown of what's available:

Sports on the Platform

Draftstars was built by Australians who are passionate about sport — and that passion shows in the breadth of coverage on offer. Whether you live and breathe the AFL, follow every NRL match religiously, stay up late for the NBA, or consider yourself a cricket tragic, Draftstars has a dedicated slate waiting for you. With over 12 sports and competitions covered across the platform, there's always a contest to play and always a lineup to build.

AFL — The Home Ground

Australian Rules Football is the cornerstone of Draftstars, and it's where the platform truly shines. AFL contests run throughout the entire season — including finals — with massive prize pools on offer every round. The flagship AFL The Batsman contest regularly pays out $60,000+, making it one of the biggest single-contest prize pools in Australian DFS. With every player in every position carrying significant fantasy scoring potential, AFL is arguably the best sport in the world for DFS gameplay.

NRL — The Other Great Code

Rugby League fans are exceptionally well catered for on Draftstars. NRL contests run across the full season, with dedicated weekly slates as well as round-specific multi-game contests. Draftstars is an official NRL approved betting operator, and the platform is a proud sponsor of the Wests Tigers. Whether you're backing halfbacks, prop forwards or outside backs, NRL DFS rewards detailed knowledge of team structures and individual player roles.

NBA & NBL — Basketball Never Sleeps

Basketball fans get a double dose of action on Draftstars. The NBA runs through the Australian winter, keeping the contest calendar packed when the local football codes go quiet. The NBL (National Basketball League) adds a local flavour for fans of teams like the Sydney Kings, Melbourne United and Perth Wildcats. Both competitions offer excellent scoring variety, with guards, forwards and centres all contributing meaningfully to fantasy totals.

International Sports

Draftstars' reach extends well beyond Australian shores. The NFL (American Football) and NHL (Ice Hockey) bring the best of North American sport to Australian DFS players, with overnight contests perfect for night owls and early risers alike. The English Premier League covers the world's most-watched football competition across the entire season. MLB (baseball) and NCAA college basketball round out an impressively deep international offering.

Cricket, ⛳ Golf & Racing

Draftstars has also carved out a strong following in cricket, hosting Big Bash League, Sheffield Shield and international Test and ODI contests throughout the summer. Golf DFS — covering PGA Australia tournaments and major international events — adds another dimension for fans who appreciate the granular performance data the sport provides. Horse Racing rounds out the sporting calendar, giving punters a fantasy angle on one of Australia's most beloved pastimes.

Prize Pools & Entry Costs

One of the biggest furphies about DFS is that you need deep pockets to play. On Draftstars, that's a load of rubbish. The platform is deliberately structured to be accessible at every level — from the ultra-cautious newcomer who wants to test the waters for 50 cents, to the seasoned high roller comfortable putting $150 on the line for a crack at a $5,000 prize.

Entry fees are clearly displayed on every contest card in the Lobby, so you always know exactly what you're risking before you click. There are no hidden charges, no surprise deductions and no confusing fee structures — what you see is what you pay.

How Prize Payouts Work

Unlike many sports betting platforms where only the outright winner collects, Draftstars pays out prize money to the top 15–20% of finishers in most contests. That means if 100 players enter a contest, the top 15 to 20 all walk away with something — and the payouts scale progressively, with larger rewards going to higher finishers. You don't need to be first. You just need to be consistently good.

For Guaranteed contests, the advertised prize pool is paid in full regardless of how many players enter — provided at least two unique players have submitted lineups. This makes Guaranteed contests especially attractive when player counts are lower, since the same prize pool is divided among fewer competitors.

Winnings are paid directly into your Draftstars account balance and can be withdrawn at any time via the same payment methods used to deposit. Draftstars supports withdrawals by bank transfer, and the platform maintains a transparent history of all transactions — deposits, entries, winnings and withdrawals — accessible directly from your account settings.

The Lobby & Platform Navigation

The Draftstars Lobby is your command centre — the place where you browse contests, review upcoming slates, check player prices and build your lineups before lockout. It's clean, fast and intuitive, designed so you can find what you're looking for in seconds without wading through menus or deciphering a confusing interface. Here's how it all fits together.

Sport Tabs — Find Your Code Fast

At the top of the Lobby, a row of sport tabs lets you instantly filter contests by discipline. Click Featured to see the most popular current contests handpicked by the Draftstars team, or jump directly to your preferred sport. Each tab shows you live contest counts so you always know what's available before you click.

• ⭐ Featured
• AFL
• NRL
• NBA
• NBL
• NCAA
• ⛳ Golf
• Cricket
• ⚾ MLB
• Racing

Sidebar Navigation — Your Platform Toolkit

The left-hand sidebar gives you quick access to every section of the platform. Whether you want to check scores on a contest already in progress, dive into a Rapidfire game for a quick hit, or head to the educational hub for tips on improving your lineups — it's all one click away.

• Lobby — main hub showing all active and upcoming contests across every sport
• Live Now — contests currently in progress with real-time score updates
• Rapidfire — quick-fire five-round match-up contests for fast, simple play
• ❓ How to Play — step-by-step beginner's guide to DFS and the Draftstars platform
• Draftstars Coach (NEW) — educational videos and analytical articles from professional DFS players
• Contest Rules — full rules and scoring breakdowns for every sport and contest type
• PlayBook — PlayUp's strategy blog with expert analysis, Shark Sightings and contest previews

Reading the Player Selection Screen

When you open a contest to build your lineup, the player selection panel displays the full roster of available athletes organised by position. You can sort by name, projected salary or recent average score. Clicking any player's name opens a detailed stat card showing their last five or ten performances — invaluable for making data-driven decisions within your salary cap. Pay close attention to the player status tags displayed next to each name:

The Draftstars Mobile App

Draftstars was built for the modern Aussie sports fan — someone who watches the footy on their phone, checks scores during the commute and wants their DFS action right there in their pocket. The mobile app delivers the full Draftstars experience on a smaller screen, without cutting any corners. Browse contests, build lineups, check live scores, manage your account and withdraw your winnings — all from your smartphone, wherever you happen to be.

Whether you're on the couch, at the pub, in the stands or killing time at the airport, the Draftstars app keeps you connected to the action. The interface has been specifically designed for mobile-first interaction — large tap targets, clear typography and fast load times mean you can submit a lineup in under a minute, even on a slow connection at the ground.

Learning Resources & Support

One of the things that sets Draftstars apart from the competition is its genuine commitment to player education. The platform doesn't just want you to sign up and lose your money — it wants you to get better, stay engaged and keep coming back because you're actually enjoying the experience and improving your results. To that end, Draftstars has built a comprehensive suite of learning resources that cater to every experience level, from your very first contest to your hundredth.

Responsible Gambling & Licensing

Draftstars takes its responsibilities as a licensed gambling operator very seriously. The platform is acutely aware that for some people, gambling can cause real harm — and it has invested heavily in the tools, messaging and support infrastructure to help players stay in control.

Responsible Gambling Tools on Draftstars

Draftstars provides a full suite of responsible gambling tools directly within your account settings. These include Pre-Commitment Deposit Limits — which let you set a maximum weekly or monthly deposit ceiling — as well as account cooling-off periods and self-exclusion options. Residents of South Australia are subject to the SA Code of Practice for Responsible Gambling, which includes additional protections and requirements. If at any point you feel your gambling is becoming a problem, these tools are there to help — and the support services listed above offer free, confidential assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Licensing & Regulatory Credentials

Draftstars operates as a fully licensed and regulated wagering service provider in Australia. All betting activity on the platform is accepted on behalf of NextBet Pty Ltd, licensed in the Northern Territory by the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission — one of Australia's primary gambling regulatory bodies. The platform is an officially approved betting operator for the following sporting organisations:

• AFL — Australian Football League
• NRL — National Rugby League
• A-League — Football Australia
• Tennis Australia
• Cricket Australia
• PGA Australia
• Proud Sponsor: Wests Tigers (NRL) — a partnership that reflects the platform's deep roots in Australian sporting culture

The Good & The Not-So-Good

No platform is perfect, and anyone telling you otherwise is trying to sell you something. Here's an honest, no-nonsense assessment of Draftstars — what it genuinely does brilliantly, and where there's room to lift its game. This is the kind of balanced take you won't find in a press release.