The 2025 AFL season is fast approaching, and with the offseason winding down and preseason underway, anticipation is building for what promises to be an action-packed year of footy.
While the official fixture is yet to be released, we've gathered an estimated timeline for the major events and rounds based on previous seasons and early announcements. Here's what the AFL calendar could look like for 2025.
It is understood that there will be 23 Thursday-night clashes in 2025, starting with the first 16 weeks.
Of those first 16 weeks of the 2025 season, nine will feature Sunday evening clashes in a new initiative by the AFL.
The AFL will also get a first look into a double-header at Marvel Stadium during Round 11 (Sir Doug Nicholls Round).
Carlton will play Greater Western Sydney on the Saturday at 1.20 pm AEST before North Melbourne hosts Collingwood at the same venue at 7.35 pm AEST later that evening.
Full fixture to be released on Thursday.
Late November 2024
Fixture Announcement: The AFL is expected to release the full 2025 fixture, including details on Opening Round, Gather Round, and marquee matchups.
February 2025
Indigenous All-Stars vs Fremantle pre-season match scheduled for February 15.
Monday, February 12 - Sunday, February 18: Unofficial intra-club/practice matches
Thursday, February 22 - Sunday, February 25: AFL Pre-season Community Series Week 1
Thursday, February 29 - Sunday, March 3: AFL Pre-season Community Series Week 2
March 2025
Opening Round: Thursday, March 6 - Sunday, March 9:
Thursday, March 6
Brisbane vs Geelong, Gabba, 6:50 pm (AEST)
Friday, March 7
Sydney vs Hawthorn, SCG, 7:40 pm (AEST)
Saturday, March 8
Gold Coast vs Essendon, People First Stadium, 4:15 pm (AEST)
Sunday, March 9
GWS vs Collingwood, Engie Stadium, 3:20 pm (AEST)
Thursday, March 13 - Sunday, March 16: Round 1
Thursday, March 13
Essendon and Hawthorn could headline a Friday night fixture at the MCG, with a mix of interstate and Victorian matchups rounding out the weekend.
Saturday, March 15
Grand Final rematch - Sydney vs Brisbane, SCG, 4:15 pm (AEST)
Thursday, March 20
Friday, March 21
Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood, MCG, 7:40 pm (AEST)
April 2025
Gather Round (South Australia): Thursday, April 10 - Sunday, April 13:
The festival of footy returns, featuring nine games spread across Adelaide Oval, Norwood Oval, and the new Barossa Park in the Barossa Valley.
The round will kick off with Adelaide vs. Geelong and conclude with a fiery rematch between Port Adelaide and Hawthorn.
Thursday, April 17 - Monday, April 21: Round 5 - Easter Weekend
The annual Easter Thursday clash between Brisbane and Collingwood is locked in, with marquee games across the long weekend.
The annual Easter Monday clash between Geelong and Hawthorn will take place on Monday, April 21.
Thursday, April 24 - Sunday, April 27: Anzac Round
Thursday, April 24 - ANZAC Eve clash between Melbourne and Richmond
The traditional ANZAC Day blockbuster between Collingwood and Essendon will take place on April 25 at the MCG.
June 2025
Sunday, June 8: North Melbourne "host" West Coast in Bunbury, WA.
Monday, June 9: King's Birthday Game
Melbourne and Collingwood will face off in the traditional King's Birthday clash, a highlight of the mid-season calendar.
Saturday, June 14: North Melbourne "host" Fremantle at Optus Stadium.
July 2025
Thursday, July 10 - Sunday, July 13: Round 19 Launch of AFLW Season
The AFLW season will clash with the men's home-and-away schedule, starting as early as Round 19.
August 2025
Thursday, August 28 - Sunday, August 31: Final Round of the home-and-away season
September 2025
Friday, September 5 - Sunday, September 7: AFL Finals Series Week 1
The finals series kicks off with elimination and qualifying finals across the first weekend.
Friday, September 19 - Saturday, September 20: AFL Preliminary Finals
Saturday, September 27: AFL Grand Final Day
The biggest day on the footy calendar returns to the MCG, where the best two teams will battle it out for premiership glory.
October 2025
Early October: AFL Trade Period
Clubs begin negotiations with players and picks on the move ahead of the 2026 season.