The 2024 AFL fixture is expected to be released in mid-November, with the new season to commence in the opening half of next March.
The AFL is said to be weighing up a split Round 1 draw that could see the first match of the season played as early Thursday, March 7 - with several games to be hosted in the northern states of the country.
Sydney, Brisbane, GWS and Gold Coast could all host matches in Round 1, 2024, with the likes of Collingwood, Melbourne, Carlton and Richmond potentially heading interstate to start their new campaigns.
According to News Corp, the quartet of matches is said to fall under "Round Zero" as the AFL looks to decide what to call the opening weekend of action, with all 18 clubs still set to compete the following week for what would be branded as Round 1. That would allow the contemporary tradition of having Carlton and Richmond play in the first round still going ahead at the MCG on Thursday, March 14 in what would be the two clubs' second games of the season.
The eight clubs that take part in "Round Zero" would be afforded an early season bye, expected to fall after the opening month of the home and away fixture.
A 26-week season is said to be likely for the 2024 campaign, withย News Corp reporting that the AFL fixture is expected to be released on Thursday, November 16.
The 2023 fixture was released on December 10 last year, with the league having needed extra time to finalise the inception of 'Gather Round' - which will be held in South Australia for the next three years after a successful first edition in 2023.
2024 Gather Round is scheduled to take place from Thursday, April 4 to Sunday, April 7. Next year's Easter weekend will run the week prior.
The 2024 King's Birthday fixture will take place on Monday, June 10.
The 2024 AFL Grand Final is expected to be scheduled on Saturday, September 28.
