The AFL has confirmed the Round 1 fixture for the 2022 season, with a grand final rematch between the Demons and Bulldogs opening the new campaign.
That clash will precede the usual opening rivalry between Richmond and Carlton, with Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs playing at the MCG on Wednesday, March 16.
The Tigers and Blues will hold their usual slot on the Thursday night at the MCG, while the Saints and Magpies will follow on the Friday night at Marvel Stadium.
The AFL has managed to have all Victorian clubs play in their home state to open the new season after the footy-centric state was starved of a plethora of games for the second straight season in 2021.
Geelong will face Essendon on the Saturday, while Hawthorn-North Melbourne will clash in the opening fixture on the Sunday, with both games at the MCG.
"The footy festival will bring people together and to be able to give all Victorians and footy fans from regional Victoria and interstate an opportunity to come to a game and see their AFLW and AFL teams across a 10-day period is a significant step bouncing back from a challenging year.” AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan said in a league statement.
“We want to get big crowds back to the footy, the weekly ritual of being able to go to a game and the sense of community it creates, connecting families and friends is something we have missed in the state,”
“We look forward to seeing fans return to our venues in huge numbers as well as to all the surrounding business and venues that rely on footy and big events being staged across the city."
Round 1 will also see the Sydney derby be held at 5:10pm AEDT at Accor Stadium (Stadium Australia), an enticing fixture given Swans veteran Lance Franklin needing just five goals to reach the 1000-goal milestone
The Lions and Power will clash on the Saturday night, while Adelaide will host Fremantle on the Sunday before West Coast and Gold Coast end the opening round in Perth.
| Wednesday, March 16 | STADIUM (NETWORK) | EDT | LOCAL |
| Melbourne vs. Western Bulldogs | MCG (SEVEN) | 7:10pm | 7:10pm |
| Thursday, March 17 | |||
| Carlton vs. Richmond | MCG (SEVEN) | 7:25pm | 7:25pm |
| Friday, March 18 | |||
| St Kilda vs. Collingwood | Marvel Stadium (SEVEN) | 7:50pm | 7:50pm |
| Saturday, March 19 | |||
| Geelong Cats vs. Essendon | MCG (FOX) | 2:10pm | 2:10pm |
| GWS GIANTS vs. Sydney Swans | Accor Stadium (FOX) | 5.10pm | 5:10pm |
| Brisbane Lions vs. Port Adelaide | The Gabba (SEVEN) | 8:10pm | 7:10pm |
| Sunday, March 20 | |||
| Hawthorn vs. North Melbourne | MCG (FOX) | 1:10pm | 1:10pm |
| Adelaide Crows vs. Fremantle | Adelaide Oval (FOX) | 4:10pm | 3:40pm |
| West Coast Eagles vs. Gold Coast SUNS | Optus Stadium (FOX) | 7:40pm | 4:40pm |