Geelong will have to wait until May for the chance to exact revenge on Brisbane, with the AFL grand final rematch to open Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
Premiers Brisbane will host the Cats at the Gabba on Thursday, May 14 in one of two meetings between the teams next season, with the other taking place in July at GMHBA Stadium.
The AFL released its 2026 season draw on Thursday, with dates, times and venues locked in from Opening Round to Round 15.
Rounds 16 to 24 remain “floating”, with the AFL yet to finalise dates for games in that period despite having confirmed match-ups and venues.
The season will start at the SCG on March 5 with a clash between the Sydney Swans and Carlton.
It’s part of an expanded Opening Round that will next season consist of five games, including for the first time a game in Melbourne, where St Kilda will meet Collingwood at the MCG on March 8.
Back-to-back premiers Brisbane will unfurl their latest flag at the Gabba on March 7 when they host the Western Bulldogs.
Despite their recent dominance of the competition, the Lions have been allocated only three “marquee” slots – two Thursday night games and one Friday night match – from Opening Round to Round 15.
Following Opening Round, the traditional Thursday clash between Carlton and Richmond at the MCG will start Round One on March 12.
“We know there is always anticipation when it comes to releasing the (draw),” the AFL’s head of strategy and scheduling Josh Bowler said.
“This fixture aims to build momentum throughout the year and gives fans consistency to help strengthen rituals and traditions at games with family and friends, as well as building on the success of Sunday nights.”
The season’s first Sydney grudge match between the Swans and GWS takes place on Friday, April 17 at the SCG.
On that same weekend, the first WA derby between West Coast and Fremantle will be held at Optus Stadium on April 19.
The opening “Showdown” of the season at the Adelaide Oval between the Crows and Port is on Friday, May 1.
The first Suns-Lions QClash of 2026 takes place at the People First Stadium on Saturday, June 6.
Anzac Round will include a battle between Richmond and Melbourne at the MCG on Friday, April 24 as well as four games on April 25 – Hawthorn-Gold Coast (University of Tasmania Stadium), Essendon-Collingwood (MCG), Port Adelaide-Geelong (Adelaide Oval) and Fremantle-Carlton (Optus Stadium).
South Australia will again host Gather Round on April 9-12, with the Crows opening the four-day celebration against Carlton at Adelaide Oval, and Port playing the final match of the round at the same venue against St Kilda.
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