The 2025 fixture has been released, with a total of 25 rounds to cover the upcoming season before another September finals series.
The new campaign will commence on Thursday, March 6, with Brisbane unfurling their premiership flag in front of their fans at the Gabba when they take on Geelong for the first of four Opening Round clashes.
New South Wales and Queensland will host the quartet of matches over the first week, while all 18 clubs will feature in the following week's schedule. Clubs partaking in Opening Round will have early season byes between Rounds 2-4.
Gather Round will commence in Round 5 in South Australia, which will be opened by an enticing encounter between Adelaide and Geelong on Thursday, April 10.
The AFL has also confirmed a significant increase in Thursday night football, scheduling 23 out of 25 encounters in the popular time slot.
The league also revealed a new time slot that will see nine Sunday evening clashes in the first 16 weeks.
Round 1, 2025:
Thursday, March 13
Carlton vs Richmond
MCG, 7:30 pm
Friday, March 14
Collingwood vs Sydney
MCG, 7:40 pm
Saturday, March 15
Essendon vs Hawthorn
MCG, 1:45 pm
GWS vs North Melbourne
GIANTS Stadium, 4:35 pm
Geelong vs St Kilda
GMHBA Stadium, 7:30pm
Gold Coast vs Adelaide
Heritage Bank Stadium, 7:10 pm
Sunday, March 16
Melbourne vsย Western Bulldogs
MCG, 1:00 pm
Port Adelaide vs West Coast
Adelaide Oval, 3:30 pm
Fremantle vs Brisbane
Optus Stadium, 3:50 pm
*All times local.ย
