AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has confirmed the first 14 rounds of the 2024 AFL Fixture will contain a Thursday night game, while the start of next year's draw is continuing to take shape as matches for Round 1 begin to settle.
The AFL has already confirmed the four matches for 'Opening Round' next year, which will commence from Thursday, March 7 and take place before Round 1 of the 2024 season.
The eight clubs who take part in 'Opening Round' will also play in Round 1, with Collingwood, Carlton, Melbourne and Richmond heading north to face the Queensland and New South Wales sides as part of the season-opening week.
The Swans will host the Demons for the first Thursday night game of the season in the opening clash, with a further 13 to come in the opening 14 rounds.
The AFL had 11 in total last year, with the first five rounds opening on a Thursday evening.
Speaking toย 7 News Melbourne,ย Dillon confirmed the rise in Thursday night football is set to further excite fans of the game.
"Thursday night footy is a big hit, It's really popular with our fans," Dillon said.
"It's great for people to watch it on free-to-air around the country.
"You'll see the first 14 rounds we will have Thursday night footy, I think everyone will be excited by that."
Thursday night matches will start 10 minutes later compared to the 2023 season, now set to commence at 7:30pm instead of 7:20pm.
Contrastingly, Friday night matches will start 10 minutes earlier, set for 7:40pm as opposed to 7:50pm starts.
The contemporary traditional opener between Richmond and Carlton will reportedly take place on Thursday, March 14 at the MCG, with a further six matches for Round 1 matches also said to be locked in.
Carlton confirmed their Round 1 opponents on Wednesday, while Fremantle have revealed they'll host Brisbane at Optus Stadium on Sunday, March 17 at 3:50pm local time.
The Blues and Tigers will kick off what will be the second round of the season, with Collingwood and Sydney to meet at the same venue the following night,ย according to SEN'sย Sam Edmund.
Victorian rivals Essendon and Hawthorn, Geelong and St Kilda, and Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs are also said to be facing off in Round 1 next year, while Port Adelaide will host West Coast.
That leaves GWS, North Melbourne, Gold Coast and Adelaide in needing to have their Round 1 fixtures settled.
The Giants have unveiled they'll host a match against Brisbane in Canberra on the night of Anzac Day, - a match that will follow the traditional clash between Collingwood and Essendon in Melbourne.
The AFL has stated the full 2024 fixture will be released on Thursday afternoon at 3:30pm (AEDT).
