The 2025 AFL season is about to kick off with a thrilling series of matchups as part of the Opening Round, a special event designed to showcase the growing popularity of Australian rules football in New South Wales and Queensland. Set to take place across the first weekend of March, this event promises a jam-packed lineup of games to excite fans and mark the start of a new season of footy.
The official opening of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season will take place on Thursday, March 6, when the Brisbane Lions host the Geelong Cats at The Gabba. The action continues on Friday, March 7, with the Sydney Swans taking on Hawthorn in a Friday night blockbuster at the SCG. On Saturday, March 8, the Gold Coast SUNS will square off against Essendon at People First Stadium, followed by a Sunday clash on March 9 between the GWS Giants and Collingwood at Engie Stadium. These four exciting matches will set the stage for the season, which will kick into full gear the following week.
The official Round One of the season will begin the next week with the traditional Richmond vs Carlton fixture at the MCG on Thursday, March 13. This marks the start of a full round of nine matches. With all 18 teams playing by the end of Round Four, this opening round offers a great lead-in to the much-anticipated Gather Round in Round Five. Fans will be able to witness top-tier football across the country, setting the tone for the rest of the season.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon expressed excitement about the success of Opening Round 2024, noting that it helped reinforce the AFL’s commitment to growing the game in New South Wales and Queensland. With footy continuing to gain traction in these regions, all four clubs featured in the Opening Round saw a significant increase in membership and community engagement. The AFL is eager to build on this momentum and further promote the sport across these states by kicking off the season there once again.
Dillon also highlighted that the timing of the Opening Round coinciding with the Labour Day long weekend in Victoria presents a unique opportunity for fans to travel north to support their clubs and enjoy a long weekend away. The AFL’s commitment to making footy accessible to all Australians, whether through playing, coaching, or supporting, remains strong. By starting the season in Queensland and New South Wales, the AFL hopes to continue expanding the game’s reach and further energize the footy community.
The Opening Round 2025 fixture announcement follows the release of the Gather Round fixture, where the Swans are set to face Collingwood at Adelaide Oval in Round 5. With the full 2025 AFL fixture being released soon, fans can look forward to another exciting season of footy. After a record-breaking sellout at the SCG in 2024, the stadium is expected to be packed again in 2025 for the highly anticipated Sydney Swans vs Hawthorn clash. Fans can secure their 2025 membership now for exclusive access to tickets and premium matchday experiences.