Collingwood, SA teams to travel as AFL reveals 2026 AAMI Community Series fixture

The AFL has revealed the matchups and fixtures for the 2026 AAMI Community pre-season series, which will begin on Wednesday, 25 February.

This is a week before Opening Round, which kicks off on Thursday, March 5.

All 18 clubs will participate in the suburban and regional clashes, headed by the use of Mars Stadium in Ballarat.

A second home for the Western Bulldogs, the regional ground will play host to three contests featuring all Victorian clubs.

This is due to the redevelopment at the venue, and its inability to host a match for premiership points throughout 2026.

It previously moved a contest between the Western Bulldogs and Adelaide to Marvel Stadium in Round 18.

South Australian sides Adelaide and Port Adelaide will cross the border into Western Australia to take on Fremantle and West Coast.

The AAMI Community Series matches will take on the following format:

• 4 quarters of 20 mins plus time on (as per AFL Premiership Season)
• Squad of 30 players; 18 on field, eight interchange and four emergencies. Minimum of four players on the Interchange Bench during the match at any time
• No Interchange Cap
• Full panel of umpires appointed by the AFL.

Essendon has confirmed an unofficial scratch match will be played against Richmond, with the date, time, and venue yet to be determined.

Fremantle and West Coast will face each other in a similar format, as will North Melbourne and Melbourne.

The Bulldogs and Swans will play a match simulation on Thursday 19th of February at Mission Whitten Oval, with a time still to be confirmed.

All matches will be broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo and ticketed for fans to attend, with free general admission* for competing club members, AFL members and kids.

Tickets for the AAMI Community Series will go on sale in February, with further information to be communicated in January.

Match simulations during the summer months may also be arranged in the pre-season schedule, and will be confirmed by clubs as they see fit.

Earlier in the month, the return of AFL Origin will see Western Australia host Victoria on Saturday February 14, at Optus Stadium.

2026 AAMI Community Series

*local times

Wednesday, February 25
Carlton vs Geelong, Ikon Park, 7:10pm
Thursday, February 26
Sydney vs GWS, Henson Park, 6:10pm
Brisbane vs Gold Coast, Brighton Homes Arena, 7:10pm
Friday, February 27
Melbourne vs Richmond, Mars Stadium, 4:10pm
Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn, Mission Whitten Oval, 7:10pm
Saturday, February 28
St Kilda vs Essendon, Mars Stadium, 3:10pm
Fremantle vs Adelaide, Rushton Park, 3:10pm
Sunday, March 1
North Melbourne vs Collingwood, Mars Stadium 3:10pm
West Coast vs Port Adelaide, Mineral Resources Park, 3:10pm

2026 Match Simulations

Fremantle vs West Coast, TBC
North Melbourne vs Melbourne, TBC
Essendon vs Richmond, TBC

Thursday, February 19
Western Bulldogs vs Sydney, Mission White Oval, TBC