HAWTHORN will get an immediate chance to avenge its heartbreaking preliminary final loss to Brisbane, with the Hawks to face the Lions in a Friday night blockbuster in round one next year.
As reported by AFL.com.au last week, Sydney will open the 2027 Toyota AFL Premiership season against Geelong at the SCG on Wednesday, March 17, meaning Toby Greene's first game for the Cats will be back in the city where he built his career. The match also looms as Jeremy Cameron's 300th, while it means the Cats will likely have a 12-day break before their round two game, the traditional Easter Monday game against the Hawks on March 29.
>> SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FULL R1 FIXTURE
It will be just the third time this century that the AFL season has started on a Wednesday night, having also done so in 2000 and 2022.
After the Swans and Cats open the season, Fremantle will host the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium on the Thursday evening in what will be Zak Butters' first game for the Dogs. The match will start at 5.10pm local time (8.10pm AEDT) due to daylight savings.
Richmond and Carlton have been moved from the Thursday night slot in round one and will instead play on the Saturday afternoon, with the MCG out of action earlier in the week due to refurbishments after the 150th anniversary cricket Test match between Australia and England.
The Hawks v Lions clash at the MCG on Friday night will be the first of four games at the home of footy in less than 48 hours, with the Tigers v Blues to follow on the Saturday, St Kilda to host Collingwood on the Saturday night and Melbourne to face Essendon on the Sunday afternoon in what will be Mark McVeigh's first game as Bombers coach.
The MCG hosted two games on the same day in round 23 last August and will do so again in the first round of 2027 for just the second time since 1986 (outside the COVID-impacted 2021 season).
The Bombers have started their campaign against the Hawks in each of the past four seasons, but the schedule change means new Hawk Zach Merrett will have to wait for his first game against his former club.
Adelaide will host Greater Western Sydney in the Saturday twilight slot while Nick Blakey's North Melbourne debut – and Jaymie Graham's first game as Roos coach – will be against Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on the Sunday afternoon. Round one will conclude with West Coast hosting Gold Coast in Perth.
With four MCG games and regular sellouts in Perth, Adelaide and Sydney, the all-time crowd record for a single round of 431,505 - set in round one, 2025 - could be within reach.
The AFL confirmed last month that the Opening Round concept has been scrapped after three years, with all 18 teams to play in a traditional round one.
"We have listened to feedback and are pleased to be able to deliver a Round One for all our 18 clubs and fans as we bring back a traditional nine-game opening weekend across the country," AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said.
"The 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season was one to remember with some of the best footy of the modern era, which resulted in record crowd and broadcast numbers, and we are excited for what 2027 will bring.
"We have the best fans in the world. Their passion is unmatched and we see this Round One fixture as delivering a perfect start the season."
The later start to the 2027 season – March 17 compared to March 5 in 2026 – is due to the Test match between Australia and England on March 11-15, with the Grand Final also pushed back to Saturday, October 2.
The Gather Round schedule - round four - was revealed on Monday, with the full 2027 season fixture expected in the coming days.
Round one, 2027
Wednesday, March 17
Sydney v Geelong at the SCG, 7.30pm AEDT
Thursday, March 18
Fremantle v Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium, 5.10pm AWST (8.10pm AEDT)
Friday, March 19
Hawthorn v Brisbane at the MCG, 7.40pm AEDT
Saturday, March 20
Richmond v Carlton at the MCG, 12.35pm AEDT
Adelaide v Greater Western Sydney at Adelaide Oval, 3.45pm (4.15pm AEDT)
St Kilda v Collingwood at the MCG, 7.40pm AEDT
Sunday, March 21
North Melbourne v Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium, 1.10pm AEDT
Melbourne v Essendon at the MCG, 3.15pm AEDT
West Coast v Gold Coast at Optus Stadium, 3.10pm AWST (6.10pm AEDT)
