Sports · Other Sports · 1 hr ago
AFL scraps Opening Round and adds Sunday night games for 2027
The AFL has scrapped Opening Round for 2027, so all 18 clubs will begin in Round One.
In the past two seasons, only some teams played in Opening Round, leaving them with early byes while other clubs had not yet played.
Critics said this distorted the draw and made the ladder harder to compare early in the season.
The league will also schedule a Sunday night match in each of the first 13 rounds, up from eight in 2026.
Sunday matches will not overlap, giving fans a chance to watch three games in a row.
The first AFL game of 2027 will start one week later than planned because of the 150th anniversary Test cricket match.
The AFL has released the first 16 rounds, while dates and times for the final eight rounds are still to come.
The AFL has scrapped Opening Round for 2027, with all 18 clubs scheduled to play in Round One.
The league will schedule a Sunday night match in each of the first 13 rounds, and overlapping Sunday games will be removed.
The changes mean fans can watch three Sunday matches in succession, while nine matches will be broadcast each round across four nights.
The first AFL game of 2027 will be delayed by a week because of the 150th anniversary Test cricket match.
The AFL has released the first 16 rounds’ dates and times, with details for the final eight rounds to come later.
- Who
- The AFL and all 18 clubs. AFL chief Andrew Dillon announced the Round One change.
- What
- The AFL has removed Opening Round for 2027 and added a Sunday night match in each of the first 13 rounds.
- When
- The changes apply to the 2027 season. The first 16 rounds’ dates and times were released on October 28, 2026.
- Where
- Across Australia, with Sunday night games scheduled at venues including Marvel Stadium and the MCG.
- Why
- The AFL said it had listened to feedback and would bring back a traditional opening weekend for all clubs. Critics said Opening Round distorted the draw and early-season byes affected the ladder.
AFL
Critics of Opening Round
Opening Round
AFL
The AFL said it had listened to feedback and would bring back a traditional nine-game opening weekend for all 18 clubs.
Critics of Opening Round
Critics said the split fixture distorted the draw and gave an advantage to teams that played in Opening Round.
Season opening
AFL
The AFL said a full Round One would give all clubs and fans a traditional opening weekend.
Critics of Opening Round
Mick Malthouse said Opening Round had no positive impact on the public and that its early byes compromised teams’ readiness.
The AFL played Opening Round in the two seasons before 2027.
The AFL announced that Opening Round would be abandoned for 2027 and all 18 clubs would play in Round One.
The AFL released the first 16 rounds of the 2027 fixture, with dates and times for the final eight rounds to be announced later.
A Sunday night match is scheduled in each of the first 13 rounds, with Sunday matches no longer overlapping.
- Clubs in Round One
- All 18
- Sunday night matches
- One in each of the first 13 rounds
- Sunday match sequence
- 12.30pm, 3.15pm, then a night game in all but rounds one and six
- Weekly broadcast schedule
- Nine matches across four nights, Thursday to Sunday
- Fixture release
- Dates and times announced for the first 16 rounds on October 28, 2026
- Opening Round
- Played in the two seasons before 2027
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What people are saying
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
We don't need it and it's a blessing now that we don't have it
All round zero did was compromise the ability of sides to be ready for the next game
Credit to the AFL for listening