THE FIXTURE for the 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership Season is here.
Check out all you need to know about your team's schedule, including who they play twice, when their byes are, and a rough guide to just how difficult 2024 might be on paper.
>> CHECK OUT THE FULL 2024 FIXTURE HERE
>> Who has the hardest draw? We break down your club's 2024 fixture
>> 24 games you won't want to miss in 2024
>> Meet the Canadian who helps build your club's fixture
>> Which club's fixture release was best?
* The degree of difficulty is calculated by adding the 2023 ladder positions of the teams a club plays twice. A low total score means a club has a tougher fixture; a high total score means an easier fixture.
Play twice: Brisbane, Port Adelaide, Sydney, Essendon, Gold Coast, Hawthorn
First four: Gold Coast (A), Geelong (H), Fremantle (A), Melbourne (H)
Last three: Western Bulldogs (H), Port Adelaide (A), Sydney (A)
Bye: Opening Round, Round 15
Thursday/Friday matches: 3/3 (Total: 6)
Five-day breaks: 2
Degree of difficulty: 57 (equal eighth hardest)
What the club says: "We have big games in big time slots and it's great to see our on-field improvement and exciting brand of footy being recognised. Five games under lights at Adelaide Oval on a Thursday and Friday night in the first half of the season is great, and with the opportunity for more during the back end of the year if we live up to expectations. From a football perspective, we are embracing the expectation and challenges that lie ahead, and if we want to play finals then we must perform and beat the best teams in the competition anywhere and at any time." – CEO Tim Silvers
Play twice: Collingwood, Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne, St Kilda, Adelaide, Gold Coast
First four: Carlton (H), Fremantle (A), Collingwood (H), North Melbourne (H)
Last three: Greater Western Sydney (H), Collingwood (A), Essendon (H)
Bye: Round 2, Round 12
Thursday/Friday matches: 3/4* (Total: 7)
Five-day breaks: 1
Degree of difficulty: 43 (hardest)
What the club says: "We certainly have some tough match-ups scheduled at home, but as they say 'if you want to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best' so that's the challenge for us. With the help of our passionate home crowd it will certainly help Fages (Fagan), and the boys keep The Gabba as a real fortress for us and make it a tough road trip for others. It was amazing to see our members and fans pack The Gabba for seven sell-out games this season, and now we will strive to beat that in 2024." - CEO Greg Swann
* includes Gather Round game v NM at 5.10pm AEDT on Fri Apr 5
Play twice: Collingwood, Greater Western Sydney, Port Adelaide, Geelong, Richmond, North Melbourne
First four: Brisbane (A), Richmond (H), North Melbourne (A), Fremantle (A)
Last three: Hawthorn (H), West Coast (A), St Kilda (H)
Bye: Round 2, Round 14
Thursday/Friday matches: 3/5 (Total: 8)
Five-day breaks: 1
Degree of difficulty: 52 (fifth hardest)
What the club says: "We are so fortunate as a club to have a massive supporter base that shows up in real force, no matter the day or time: that is a competitive advantage that our entire club will make a focus of in 2024. Our Thursday or Friday night games in Victoria last season averaged crowds of over 65,000, which is just enormous. That figure, coupled with the huge television audience we have been able to attract in those timeslots, gives this football club a level of exposure that is a real point of difference, which we have embraced. To also currently have three of our seven home games on a Saturday afternoon gives our members some variety. Our game-day experience is something that became so profoundly unique in the second half of 2023, we want to take that to a whole new level next year." – CEO Brian Cook
Play twice: Brisbane, Carlton, Melbourne, Sydney, Essendon, Hawthorn
First four: Greater Western Sydney (A), Sydney (H), St Kilda (A), Brisbane (A)
Last three: Sydney (A), Brisbane (H), Melbourne (A)
Bye: Round 5, Round 15
Thursday/Friday matches: 3/4 (Total: 7)
Five-day breaks: 1
Degree of difficulty: 46 (second hardest)
What the club says: "We have one of the largest supporter bases in the AFL, all spread across the nation, and we look forward to seeing our members and supporters access our games and fill stadiums across the country. The Opening Round in Sydney is a great opportunity for Australian Football, and we are pleased to be a part of it to engage our many supporters in New South Wales. The following week we will unfurl our Premiership Flag to our 19th player, the Magpie Army, under Friday night lights at the MCG. With matches scheduled across Thursday and Friday nights, we are excited to play our brand of football in primetime slots." – CEO Craig Kelly
Play twice: Collingwood, St Kilda, Sydney, Adelaide, Gold Coast, West Coast
First four: Hawthorn (H), Sydney (A), St Kilda (H), Port Adelaide (A)
Last three: Gold Coast (H), Sydney (H), Brisbane (A)
Bye: Opening Round, Round 14
Thursday/Friday matches: 1/3 (Total: 4)
Five-day breaks: 0
Degree of difficulty: 59 (equal 10th hardest)
What the club says: "Our 2024 AFL fixture presents us with a great opportunity to showcase our football club to our members and supporters across the country. More than one million fans attended our games in 2023 and the blockbuster games will continue next year, allowing great access for all our Bomber fans. We are counting down until our round one match against old rivals Hawthorn at the MCG, where we will recognise and celebrate our 1984 and 1985 Premiership-winning heroes. Our traditional blockbusters in Anzac Day, Dreamtime, and the second year of the King's Birthday Eve match against Carlton allow our Bomber members and fans to get right behind their team. With 11 home games split between the MCG and Marvel and an extra six games in Melbourne, we can't wait to see our members and supporters create a home-ground atmosphere second to none, with noise and support that lifts our team every week." – CEO Craig Vozzo
Play twice: Port Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Western Bulldogs, Richmond, West Coast
First four: Brisbane (H), North Melbourne (A), Adelaide (H), Carlton (H)
Last three: Geelong (H), Greater Western Sydney (A), Port Adelaide (H)
Bye: Opening Round, Round 13
Thursday/Friday matches: 0/3 (Total: 3)
Five-day breaks: 1
Degree of difficulty: 59 (equal 10th hardest)
What the club says: "Every fixture brings exciting challenges and opportunities and this one is no different with three Friday night games at Optus Stadium in the first half of the season and matches in Alice Springs and Tasmania later in the year. We are rapt to have three marquee games under lights at Optus Stadium between rounds seven and 11, which allows the Freo family to attend after work and community sporting commitments. Our annual Len Hall Game is the first of those fixtures and is always an incredible occasion. A Saturday night game against the Dogs gives us another significant opportunity to honour the Anzacs and giving all of our service men and women the recognition, they thoroughly deserve. Clashes with Sydney and Collingwood round out those marquee games and our round 11 match against the Magpies, allows us to proudly wear our 2024 Indigenous jumper for Sir Doug Nicholls Round." – CEO Simon Garlick
Play twice: Carlton, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs, Adelaide, Hawthorn, North Melbourne
First four: St Kilda (H), Adelaide (A), Hawthorn (A), Western Bulldogs (A)
Last three: Fremantle (A), St Kilda (A), West Coast (H)
Bye: Opening Round, Round 14
Thursday/Friday matches: 1/3 (Total: 4)
Five-day breaks: 1
Degree of difficulty: 62 (15th hardest)
What the club says: "We are really pleased with the club's 2024 fixture and particularly excited about playing nine home games in Geelong in front of a 40,000 capacity stadium, kicking off with St Kilda on a Saturday night in Round 1. Big teams will get more used to coming down the highway now that we have a 40,000 capacity stadium and we look forward to welcoming Hawthorn and Richmond next year as part of a strong overall mix of opponents at GMHBA Stadium. In what is a great result for our Melbourne members, we will play seven games in Melbourne. Our interstate fans are also well served, as we play in each state as well as the Northern Territory." - Chief Strategy and Growth Officer Marcus King
Play twice: Brisbane, Greater Western Sydney, Essendon, Richmond, North Melbourne, West Coast
First four: Richmond (H), Adelaide (H), Western Bulldogs (A), Greater Western Sydney (H)
Last three: Essendon (A), Melbourne (H), Richmond (A)
Bye: Round 3, Round 14
Thursday/Friday matches: 1/0 (Total: 1)
Five-day breaks: 1
Degree of difficulty: 65 (16th hardest)
What the club says: "It's unbelievably exciting for Suns fans with the fixture for next year which is a terrific way to kick off the Damien Hardwick era. The Coast will come alive with the fact they can see Damien Hardwick's new-look Gold Coast Suns here for two weeks in a row, and particularly to start with Richmond, such a powerhouse club. It's a really strong fixture with some powerhouse teams and lots of great games here at Heritage Bank Stadium." – CEO Mark Evans
Play twice: Brisbane, Carlton, Sydney, Western Bulldogs, Gold Coast, Hawthorn
First four: Collingwood (H), North Melbourne (H), West Coast (A), Gold Coast (A)
Last three: Brisbane (A), Fremantle (H), Western Bulldogs (A)
Bye: Round 3, Round 12
Thursday/Friday matches: 1/0 (Total: 1)
Five-day breaks: 1
Degree of difficulty: 53 (equal sixth hardest)
What the club says: "Following an outstanding 2023 AFL season, it's very exciting for Giants fans to have a great fixture for the season ahead. The Opening Round is a brilliant concept, and we congratulate Andrew Dillon and his team in responding to the need to develop big Sydney based events. It will be an honour to feature on Anzac Day in the nation's capital, one of the biggest days of the football calendar and we hope the fans will flock to Manuka Oval to mark the occasion. Another major feature of our fixture is the twilight matches we will host at Giants Stadium and further cementing our rivalries with the Western Bulldogs and the Swans and hosting Carlton during the winter school holidays." – CEO David Matthews
Play twice: Collingwood, Greater Western Sydney, Adelaide, Geelong, Richmond, North Melbourne
First four: Essendon (A), Melbourne (H), Geelong (H), Collingwood (A)
Last three: Carlton (A), Richmond (H), North Melbourne (H)
Bye: Opening Round, Round 15
Thursday/Friday matches: 0/0 (Total: 0)
Five-day breaks: 0
Degree of difficulty: 57 (equal eighth hardest)
What the club says: "To kickstart the year with three straight games at the MCG is a huge win for our loyal members, which of course includes a massive home match in Round 2 against the Demons, before we paint the 'G brown and gold for the traditional Easter Monday blockbuster. Four games again at UTAS Stadium is a great result for our club given our strong record on the Apple Isle, we cannot wait to get back there and do what we do best. And our six away games outside of Victoria gives us the perfect opportunity to connect and strengthen our relationships with our valued interstate members, particularly across the school holidays." – CEO Ashley Klein
Play twice: Collingwood, Brisbane, Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, Fremantle, West Coast
First four: Sydney (A), Western Bulldogs (H), Hawthorn (A), Port Adelaide (A)
Last three: Port Adelaide (H), Gold Coast (A), Collingwood (H)
Bye: Round 6, Round 14
Thursday/Friday matches: 4/0 (Total: 4)
Five-day breaks: 2
Degree of difficulty: 49 (equal third hardest)
What the club says: "We understand how important it is for our members and supporters that we are playing as many games as possible at the MCG, which is why a strong MCG fixture is always our highest priority. We’re delighted to have 14 matches, including all 10 of our Victorian home games, at the MCG, giving our fans the opportunity to come and watch us play at the ground they love the most. This fixture will see us host some blockbuster matches, including MCG clashes against last season's Grand Finalists in Brisbane (Round 5) and Collingwood (Round 24), Essendon, Hawthorn and Geelong. Melbourne fans will have the opportunity to attend games in a range of different timeslots, with four matches scheduled across each of Thursday night, Saturday and Sunday in the first half of the season." – CEO Gary Pert
Play twice: Carlton, Western Bulldogs, Geelong, Gold Coast, Hawthorn, West Coast
First four: Greater Western Sydney (A), Fremantle (H), Carlton (H), Brisbane (A)
Last three: West Coast (H), Western Bulldogs (A), Hawthorn (A)
Bye: Opening Round, Round 12
Thursday/Friday matches: 0/2 (Total: 2)*
Five-day breaks: 0
Degree of difficulty: 73 (18th hardest)
What the club says: "This fixture is a really positive result for the club from both a football and fan perspective. We host a great mix of teams at our Melbourne home of Marvel Stadium, including Carlton on Good Friday again after a record crowd in 2023 and two other big Victorian clubs in Collingwood and Richmond later in the season. Spread across the season are our four games at Blundstone Arena in Hobart. After finishing season 2023 with a win at the venue, we are looking forward to being back at our home away from home next year." – CEO Jennifer Watt
* includes Gather Round game v BL at 5.10pm AEDT on Fri Apr 5
Play twice: Carlton, Melbourne, St Kilda, Adelaide, Richmond, Fremantle
First four: West Coast (H), Richmond (A), Melbourne (H), Essendon (H)
Last three: Melbourne (A), Adelaide (H), Fremantle (A)
Bye: Opening Round, Round 13
Thursday/Friday matches: 2/3 (Total: 5)
Five-day breaks: 1
Degree of difficulty: 53 (equal sixth hardest)
What the club says: "To have six of our opening eight rounds hosted at Adelaide Oval is a pleasing way to start off our season and offers great accessibility to our members and fans. We also have the privilege of hosting a Friday night Anzac Round game, continuing the long-term significance of this game for our club and our partnerships with the RSL and defence communities in South Australia. Seven of our first 14 games are available on free-to-air TV, with six of those in primetime Thursday, Friday or Saturday night timeslots, which is a big win for our commercial partners. We are also fixtured to play in every Australian state, giving our fans around the country the best possible opportunity to see their team play live." – CEO Matthew Richardson
Play twice: Carlton, Port Adelaide, St Kilda, Fremantle, Gold Coast, Hawthorn
First four: Gold Coast (A), Carlton (A), Port Adelaide (H), Sydney (H)
Last three: St Kilda (H), Hawthorn (A), Gold Coast (H)
Bye: Round 6, Round 15
Thursday/Friday matches: 2/0 (Total: 2)
Five-day breaks: 2
Degree of difficulty: 60 (12th hardest)
What the club says: TBC
Play twice: Brisbane, Port Adelaide, Essendon, Geelong, Richmond, West Coast
First four: Geelong (A), Collingwood (H), Essendon (A), Richmond (A)
Last three: Richmond (A), Geelong (H), Carlton (A)
Bye: Opening Round, Round 15
Thursday/Friday matches: 2/2 (Total: 4)
Five-day breaks: 2
Degree of difficulty: 61 (equal 13th hardest)
What the club says: "We are ready to embrace the 2024 season and everything that comes our way in order to build upon our promising campaign in 2023. Having seven primetime game games in the first half of the season, including our Round 2 home game at the MCG against Collingwood, is an incredible opportunity for our club and is due recognition for our efforts last season. However, if we are to take the next step forward as a club, we must continue to prove ourselves on the biggest stages and rally our loyal fans in record numbers so we can pack the aisles week after week. With a legion of Saints supporters cheering us on all across the country, we are raring to go for the upcoming season and are more determined than ever to succeed as we march in to 2024." - CEO Simon Lethlean
Play twice: Collingwood, Greater Western Sydney, Western Bulldogs, Adelaide, Essendon, Fremantle
First four: Melbourne (H), Collingwood (A), Essendon (H), Richmond (A)
Last three: Collingwood (H), Essendon (A), Adelaide (H)
Bye: Round 5, Round 12
Thursday/Friday matches: 2/3 (Total: 5)
Five-day breaks: 0
Degree of difficulty: 49 (equal third hardest)
What the club says: "It's fantastic to have the first game of the season here in Sydney, and to start our 150th year with a bang, significantly against the Demons, who were our first opponent when the club joined the VFA in 1879 and again our first opponent in Sydney back in 1982. It's great for the club, great for the code and certainly great for the Sydneysiders. One of the things I love about our footy club is that we have got national relevance and supporters across the country. We are the oldest running football club in any code that has continuously worn red and white in the world. That is something we hold dearly, and we will celebrate our 150th year with gusto with our members next year." - CEO Tom Harley
Play twice: Melbourne, St Kilda, Essendon, Fremantle, Gold Coast, North Melbourne
First four: Port Adelaide (A), Greater Western Sydney (H), Western Bulldogs (A), Sydney (H)
Last three: North Melbourne (A), Carlton (H), Geelong (A)
Bye: Opening Round, Round 14
Thursday/Friday matches: 0/0 (Total: 0)
Five-day breaks: 0
Degree of difficulty: 70 (17th hardest)
What the club says: "Taking everything into account It is a well-balanced fixture. There are a lot of factors to consider in drafting the fixtures and importantly we have avoided any five day turnarounds in the first 15 rounds. While we requested more Saturday games to assist our country members, our first two home games against GWS and Richmond are scheduled for a Sunday but our next four home games are on Saturdays." – CEO Trevor Nisbett
Play twice: Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne, Sydney, Geelong, Fremantle, North Melbourne
First four: Melbourne (A), Gold Coast (H), West Coast (H), Geelong (H)
Last three: Adelaide (A), North Melbourne (H), Greater Western Sydney (H)
Bye: Opening Round, Round 15
Thursday/Friday matches: 2/3 (Total: 5)
Five-day breaks: 1
Degree of difficulty: 61 (equal 13th hardest)
What the club says: "We’re really pleased with both the football and commercial outcomes of the 2024 fixture and welcome the connection with our Victorian members through the opening three rounds. The fixture is bookended by games in Ballarat in Rounds 2 and 24, following on from a successful pair of games in 2023, with a record of number of attendees cheering on the club at Mars Stadium. Once again, we’ll feature prominently on free-to-air television with eight games scheduled across the known rounds, five of those falling on Thursday and Friday night football. Our interstate members will have the opportunity next year to witness the team live with three trips to Adelaide, dual games in Sydney as well as a Perth match." – CEO Ameet Bains
