The 2022 VFL fixture has been confirmed, with the Footscray Bulldogs and Sydney Swans set to kickstart the new season on Friday, March 25 at Whitten Oval.
This year will see 21 teams compete in the east-coast competition, which will span across 22 rounds between March and August, with the grand final scheduled for the weekend of the 17/18 September.
Each side will play 18 games for the season, with the uneven amount of sides seeing clubs fixtured for byes.
Succeeding the opening round of the match between the Dogs and Swans, Carlton will host Brisbane in a bout at Princes Park later that evening.
Round 1 will also see the Cats and Bombers a week after their senior sides battle in the AFL, while Frankston and Werribee will begin their seasons at SkyBus Stadium later that night on the opening Saturday.
Five matches will take place on Sunday, March 27, beginning with Richmond and Southport at Punt Road.
Collingwood and Box Hill will wrestle at the Holden Centre, while Casey and Sandringham will also clash to start their new campaigns.
"2022 is an incredibly important and exciting year for the VFL competition after two severely disrupted seasons," AFL State League Competitions Manager Jennie Loughnan said.
“A huge amount of work has gone into getting ready for the season and developing the fixture, which is a more complex process than usual given the overlay of COVID protocols for AFL-aligned clubs and how that impacts the timing of matches at VFL level. We appreciate the patience and support shown by stakeholders across the VFL, including the clubs, broadcasters, partners and supporters.
“We are very proud of the rich tradition and history of the VFL and its clubs, and we are looking forward to getting a full season away, with Round One featuring a number of highly anticipated match ups.
“We aim to confirm schedules for Rounds Two to Eight as soon as possible, and will lock in details after Round Eight once we have clarity on the AFL fixture and how that impacts our AFL-aligned teams.”
Broadcaster Channel 7 will show one game per week nationally, while all matches will be accessible to watch through the AFL website and AFL Live Official App.
Ticketing will price entry at $10 for adults, $5 for concession holders and kids under 15 are free, with some venues not charging for entry.
VFL 2022 ROUND 1
Friday 25 March
Footscray vs. Sydney Swans - VU Whitten Oval, 4.35pm AEDT
Carlton vs. Brisbane Lions - IKON Park, 5.05pm AEDT
Saturday 26 March
Geelong vs. Essendon - GMHBA Stadium, 2.05pm AEDT
Gold Coast Suns vs. Northern Bullants – Metricon Stadium, 2.05pm AEST (local) / 3:05pm AEDT
Frankston vs. Werribee - SkyBus Stadium - 7.05pm AEDT
Sunday 27 March
Richmond vs. Southport Sharks - Swinburne Centre, 11.35am AEDT
Collingwood vs. Box Hill Hawks - Holden Centre, 12.00pm AEDT
Casey Demons vs. Sandringham - Casey Fields, 1.05pm AEDT
GWS GIANTS vs. Port Melbourne - Blacktown International Sports Park, 2.05pm AEDT
North Melbourne vs. Williamstown - Arden Street, 4.05pm AEDT
Bye: Coburg
