Brisbane will get the chance to unfurl the 2024 premiership flag in the first clash of the new season, hosting Geelong at the Gabba in the AFL's 2025 Opening Round.
A new concept in its second year, the league wanted to continue to develop and drive growth in the northern states.
With four matches spread across New South Wales and Queensland, a quartet of Victorian clubs will make the trip up the eastern board.
Collingwood is the only team that will be repeating its early-season trip, with the Cats, Hawthorn and Essendon joining in on the Opening Round act.
Melbourne, Richmond and Carlton have been replaced.
Round One will then begin the following week with the traditional Richmond vs Carlton fixture at the MCG on Thursday, March 13, and consist of a full round of nine matches.
All 18 teams in the competition will have played the same number of matches by the end of Round Four / the beginning of Gather Round in Round Five.
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)
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said that the success of 'Opening Round' earlier this
year presented a unique opportunity to feature four matches across NSW and Queensland, where footy continues to grow in popularity.
"After a successful start to the 2024 season, we look forward to continuing the momentum in 2025 before we head into a blockbuster round of matches in Round One," Dillon said.
"Footy is growing exponentially in New South Wales and Queensland - all four Clubs saw more than 10 per cent growth in membership this past season, and we have seen community participation numbers grow a combined 17 per cent this year.
"We were fortunate to be in a position where we were able to have access to our major venues in Queensland and New South Wales a weekend earlier than usual, which gave us a unique opportunity to create Opening Round, and we are thrilled these venues are available to us again for next year.
"Given this Opening Round weekend also falls on the Labour Day long weekend in Victoria, it presents a terrific opportunity for fans to travel north to support their club and enjoy an extended interstate break.
"We continue to strive to have footy in every home around the country, whether that be playing, coaching, umpiring, supporting or volunteering and starting the season across Queensland and NSW will only amplify this desire.
I would like to thank our venues and the clubs for supporting our Opening Round vision."
The full 2025 AFL Premiership Season fixture will be released later this week.