The AFL has released the fixtures for Round 1 of the 2024 Smithy’s VFL and VFLW seasons.
Both competitions will commence on the weekend of March 22-24, aligning with Round 2 of the 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership season.
The 2024 Smithy’s VFL campaign will feature the same 21 teams from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland who competed across the past two seasons. The home-and-away season will consist of 21 rounds, with every team to play 18 matches.
All 12 teams who took part in the VFLW last year will again feature in the 2024 VFLW season, which will again comprise 14 rounds.
Smithy’s VFL Round 1
Friday 22 March
Sandringham vs. Collingwood, RSEA Park, 4:05PM *
Frankston vs. Williamstown, Kinetic Stadium, 7:35PM
Saturday 23 March
Gold Coast SUNS vs. Richmond, Heritage Bank Stadium, 11:05AM
Southport Sharks vs. Port Melbourne, Fankhauser Reserve, 12:05PM
Essendon vs. Brisbane Lions, NEC Hangar, 1:05 PM *
Geelong Cats vs. Werribee, GMHBA Stadium, 2:05PM *
North Melbourne vs. Northern Bullants, Arden Street Oval, 3:05PM
Sunday 24 March
Sydney Swans vs. Coburg, Tramway Oval, 12:05PM
Footscray Bulldogs vs. GWS GIANTS, Whitten Oval, 12:05PM
Casey Demons vs. Box Hill Hawks, Casey Fields, 2:00PM (Ch7)
Bye: Carlton
All times local
VFLW Round 1
Friday 22 March
Southern Saints vs. Collingwood, RSEA Park, 7:05 PM *
Saturday 23 March
Essendon vs. Port Melbourne, NEC Hangar, 10:05 AM *
Geelong Cats vs. Carlton, GMHBA Stadium, 11:15 AM *
Western Bulldogs vs. North Melbourne, Whitten Oval, 12:05 PM
Darebin Falcons vs. Williamstown, La Trobe University, 5:05 PM
Sunday 24 March
Casey Demons vs. Box Hill Hawks, Casey Fields, 11:05 AM *
*Denotes VFL/W double-header
AFL Head of State League Competitions, Jennie Loughnan, said: “2024 shapes as a huge year for the Smithy’s VFL and VFLW competitions, after a really successful 2023.
“We are excited to release the Round 1 fixtures for the Smithy’s VFL and VFLW so that clubs and fans can look forward to the start of the home-and-away campaign.
“We have been working closely with the clubs on fixturing to drive attendance while factoring in streaming, broadcast and the AFL fixture timeslots. Round 1 features a number of exciting match ups in both the men’s and women’s competitions and we’re confident that the season will get off to a great start.”
Fixtures for all remaining rounds will be released in coming days. This will include scheduling for Rounds 2-13 of the Smithy’s VFL and the full 14-round VFLW season. Venues and times for the Smithy’s VFL fixture from Round 14 onwards will be confirmed once the last part of the AFL fixture is announced later in the year.
2024 key information
Swans and GIANTS to compete in part of the VFLW season
In a change to the VFLW fixture for season 2024, the Sydney Swans and GWS GIANTS will compete in part of the season, with each New South Wales-based club to play five matches against VFLW clubs from Rounds 3-7 of the home-and-away season. These matches will be played for premiership points for the competing VFLW clubs.
Details of matches involving the Swans and the GIANTS will be confirmed when the full VFLW fixture is released.
VFL-SANFL rivalry to return in 2024
The fierce rivalry between the VFL and SANFL will resume in 2024 with a men's representative match to be played in Adelaide during the AFL Gather Round weekend, which is set for April 4-7. The best VFL-listed players from the 21-team competition will be selected to represent the ‘Big V’ in the VFL’s first representative match in seven years. More details about venue and match time will be confirmed soon.
Broadcast and streaming
All matches in the 2024 Smithy’s VFL and VFLW seasons will be live streamed free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL App. Smithy’s VFL broadcast partner, the Seven Network, will broadcast select matches live and free on the Seven Network in Victoria and on 7plus nationally.
Live scoring and stats
Live scoring and stats will be available via both the AFL Live Official App and VFL App.
Ticketing
Where Smithy’s VFL matches are ticketed, entry is $10 for adults, $5 for concession holders and kids under 15 are free. Some venues don't charge for entry. AFL ticketing prices apply for VFL matches played as curtain-raisers and curtain-closers to AFL matches.
Entry to VFLW matches is free. Where venues host VFL and VFLW double-headers, entry fees will apply after half time of the VFLW match if played first.
Another round for Smithy's
The AFL is pleased to announce a three-year partnership extension between the Victorian Football League (VFL) and Smithy’s.
The extension will see Smithy’s continue as the VFL’s naming rights partner through to at least the end of the 2026 season.
The partnership agreement between the VFL and Smithy's continues the rich heritage of community football with Thomas Henry Smith or “Smithy”, who helped draft the original rules for the game and whose pioneering spirit inspired the creation of the beer that bears his name.
AFL Head of State League Competitions, Jennie Loughnan, said the partnership extension was something all VFL fans could celebrate.
"We are delighted to announce our close partnership with Smithy’s has been extended for a further three years. This is fantastic news for both the VFL and Smithy’s and allows us to continue our collaboration and further strengthen our relationship.
“We are extremely proud of the VFL’s rich history and Smithy’s has been a great supporter of our competition and the broader football community across the past two years.
“20 VFL-listed players made their way onto AFL lists during the 2023 season which shows how important the VFL is in the talent pathway system and we thank Smithy’s for their continued support of our competition.
“With a wide range of Australian-made products and named after one of the founding fathers of our game, Smithy’s is the ultimate crowd pleaser.”
Coles Liquor Senior Marketing Manager Brylie Dauparas said the team welcomed the partnership extension.
“Across the past two seasons Smithy’s and the VFL have created a strong partnership to connect with footy fans by pairing our much loved and historic competition with a beer for the fans.
“We are thrilled to be able to continue our work with the VFL for a further three years and are committed to going bigger and better as we continue to build strong links with local communities throughout Australia.”