The first Saturday in October will host the 2027 AFL Grand Final, the league has confirmed.
It comes as the AFL works through a range of concessions, including the 150th Anniversary cricket test at the MCG and an NFL match.
The AFL announced a series of key fixturing decisions on Thursday, confirming Round 1 will contain all 18 clubs and there would again be 24 rounds of home and away football concluding on 30 August before a five week finals series.
The season is starting a week later due to the unavailability of the MCG in early March for the 150th Anniversary cricket test match. The MCG will be unavailable from Thursday, March 11-15, as it hosts a Test between Australia and England.
In the AFL era, there have been seven deciders played in October. The 2020 COVID-19-impacted season played late in the month due to the delayed campaign.
The Western Bulldogs' victory and Hawthorn's win in 2016 and 2015 were early in October.
Collingwood's loss to Geelong in 2011 was in October.
The 2010 Grand Final replay was in October after Collingwood and St Kilda drew the week before, resulting in another match.
The Pies defeated Essendon in 1990, as did West Coast over Geelong in 1994 during October.
Opening Round is set to be scrapped, but games will still be played early in the season in the northern states to help kick-start the season.
The controversial NFL match will be moved next year.
The American Football code will descend onto the MCG in the semi-final weekend, and could potentially clash with finals at the home of football.
Fortunately for the AFL, there's only one potential match at the MCG if Hawthorn lose to Fremantle on Thursday in the qualifying final.
A list of other changes, as reported by the Agenda Setters on Wednesday includes:
- First game at the MCG on March 19
- At least one game before that in NSW/QLD on Thursday, March 18
- Maybe another game in NSW/QLD on Wednesday, March 17
- The 2027 NFL game will be played over the Qualifying Final weekend
- Moving matches to Marvel Stadium or Geelong has been swiftly dismissed
AFL boss Andrew Dillon welcomed the announcement.
“We're really pleased to be able to provide fans and clubs with this clarity well ahead of the 2027 season," Dillon said.
“To accommodate the historic 150th anniversary test match at the MCG next March, we have been working through alternative options to deliver the start of the AFL season.
“After important feedback from fans and stakeholders and consultation with clubs and broadcasters, Round 1 will see the return of a traditional nine-game round played across the country.
“Before we get there, we are focused on making the end to the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership season one to remember, after an all-time record-breaking home and away attendance and the inaugural Wildcard Finals delivering record broadcast and crowd numbers.
“The passion of footy fans is unmatched. We're looking forward to another four big matches this coming weekend across Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.”
