In addition to being one of the Foundation Clubs of the AFL, Carlton is also one of two Clubs to have played in each and every season since the inception of the VFL. In wartime, the difficulties of society had often meant that teams and competitions were limited for players and funds, but Carlton – plus our arch-nemesis Collingwood – can proudly proclaim to have been in every single season of the VFL and AFL…all 125 seasons (as at the conclusion of season 2021).
Note: Carlton is the only club to have played every season since 1864.
NB Updated for Season 2022
Note: Carlton is the only club to have played every season since 1864.
| Completed Seasons | Span | Clubs | Years Missing |
| 126 | 1897 - 2022* | Carlton and Collingwood | N/A |
| 125 | 1897 – 1915; 1917 - 2022* | South Melbourne / Sydney | 1916 |
| 124 | 1897 – 1915; 1918 - 2022* | Essendon and St Kilda | 1916 and 1917 |
| 123 | 1897-1915, 1917-1941 & 1944-2022* | Geelong | 1916 & 1942 -43 |
| 123 | 1897-1915 & 1919-2022* | Melbourne | 1916, 1917, 1918 |
| 115 | 1908-2022* | Richmond | Joined 1908 |
| 100 | 1897 - 1996 | Fitzroy (pre-merger) | Merged 1997 |
| 98 | 1925 - 2022* | Hawthorn, Footscray and North Melbourne | Joined 1925 |
| 36 | 1987 - 2022* | Brisbane (Bears + Lions) and West Coast | Joined 1987 |
| 32 | 1991 - 2022* | Adelaide | Joined 1991 |
| 28 | 1995 - 2022* | Fremantle | Joined 1995 |
| 26 | 1997 - 2022* | Port Power | Joined 1997 |
| 12 | 2011 - 2022* | Gold Coast Suns | Joined 2011 |
| 11 | 2012 - 2022* | GWS Giants | Joined 2012 |
NB Updated for Season 2022