The Western Bulldogs will celebrate their 100th anniversary with a blockbuster clash against Victorian powerhouse Collingwood at the MCG in Round 2.
Ahead of the AFL unveiling the 2025 fixture, the Bulldogs requested they mark the significant occasion by locking in a date with the Pies on March 21.
It will be the first time the club from the west will host a match at the home of football since 2009, when they faced North Melbourne in Round 2.
Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains said he was thrilled that the club would host a game at the MCG, with the prospect of surpassing the Bulldogs' home and away attendance record, which stands at 68,447, set in 1974 against Richmond.
"As an entire Club, we are very excited to celebrate our 100-year anniversary next year with our fans, members, staff and players," Bains said.
"As part of that, being on footy's biggest stage in a premier timeslot is something we all relish, and it gives us a wonderful opportunity to surpass our largest home-and-away crowd."
The move from Marvel Stadium to the MCG will allow fans to eclipse the usual attendance under the roof, whilst the Bulldogs are also hoping it will show a commitment from its fans, with the club hopeful of hitting 70,000 members.
"While we absolutely love playing our Melbourne home games at Marvel and remain committed to doing so, this one-off MCG home game provides a unique opportunity to acknowledge a significant milestone for our club," Bains said.
"It will be a spectacular occasion that we also hope encourages Bulldogs fans to sign up to become a member to ensure they can attend.
"After another record-breaking membership year in 2024, we're aiming to hit 70,000 members in 2025, which would be an appropriately historic achievement."
The Bulldogs and Pies have had entertaining battles in recent times, with the former holding a slight advantage over the past five contests, winning three of them.
Footscray joined the VFL alongside Hawthorn and North Melbourne, playing its first game on 2 May 1925 against Fitzroy at Brunswick St Oval.
The club has been starved of success, winning two premierships, including the 2016 flag, in their history.
After bowing out in the elimination final against Hawthorn last year, the Bulldogs will be looking to redeem their efforts, pressing their case for a top-four finish in 2025.
2025 AFL Fixture โ Round 2
Friday 21 March, 7.40 pm AEDT, MCG
Western Bulldogs v Collingwood
