2026 Fixture discussion

[one-eyed]

Predicting the Opening Round and Round 1 fixtures for the 2026 AFL season

Mitch Keating
zerohanger.com
21 Oct 2025

With the 2026 AFL fixture likely to be released next month, murmurings of the Opening Round and Round 1 fixtures are right around the corner too.

Opening Round is here to stay, and with all four of the northern state sides in position to contend, each matchup will be crucial for the home sides to get their new campaigns off on the right foot.

You'd expect Carlton and Richmond to play in the first game in Victoria once more, while there have been suggestions a match could be played on the Sunday in Opening Round.

Looking to the former fixture plan, it'd be the Blues and Tigers on Thursday, March 12 at the MCG.


Predicted Opening Round Fixture

Thursday, March 5
Sydney vs Carlton, SCG, 7:30pm

Friday, March 6
Brisbane vs Geelong, Gabba, 7:40pm

Saturday, March 7
GWS vs Melbourne, ENGIE Stadium 4:35pm
Gold Coast vs Adelaide, People First Stadium, 7:30pm


Predicted Round 1 Fixture

Thursday, March 12
Carlton vs Richmond, MCG, 7:30pm

Friday, March 13
Hawthorn vs Essendon, MCG, 7:40pm

Saturday, March 14
Geelong vs North Melbourne, GMHBA Stadium, 1:45pm
Gold Coast vs Western Bulldogs, People First Stadium, 4:35pm
Collingwood vs Brisbane, MCG, 7:30pm
Port Adelaide vs West Coast, Adelaide Oval, 8:10pm

Sunday, March 15
Melbourne vs St Kilda, MCG, 1:00pm
Sydney vs Adelaide, SCG 3:15pm
Fremantle vs GWS, 5:10pm

All times AEDT.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/afl/predicting-the-opening-round-and-round-1-fixtures-for-the-2026-afl-season/ar-AA1OQc8q

[WilliamPowell]

For me the most intriguing thing about the 2026 draw is are we selling a game interstate and if so where? Hobart or Sydney?

[Damo]

So they are doing the ridiculous opening round again

[Tiger Khosh]

So they are doing the ridiculous opening round again

When have you known the afl to scrap something so soon after its inception? Would actually require them to admit they got something wrong and you have a better chance of pigs flying.

[TigerLand]

Will say that the 2025 fixture was the worst fixture as a Richmond supporter POV since turn of the century. Genuine garbage. I get we are bottom but my god it was a bad run of games this year.