Richmond and Essendon will meet in Darwin for the second annual AFLW Dreamtime match, bringing elite women's football back to the Top End.

The Round 3 fixture will take place at TIO Stadium as part of the AFLW's Indigenous Round, building on the success of last year's historic debut Dreamtime clash, which ended in a thrilling draw and drew thousands of fans.

The Northern Territory boasts a strong female presence in football, with over 40 per cent of all registered players identifying as women. This match will celebrate the Territory's leadership in women's football and reinforce the AFL's commitment to inclusion, recognition and opportunity.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said the return of the match was a reflection of its growing significance.

"Dreamtime is such a wonderful tradition in the AFL landscape, and I am thrilled to see it return to the Top End for the second year in a row," he said.

"Essendon and Richmond have such a rich history celebrating Indigenous culture and I'm sure fans of both clubs will look forward to supporting the continuation of this match-up.

"We know the Northern Territory has the highest proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people relative to Australia's total population โ€“ around 30.8 per cent โ€“ so hosting games in the NT plays a key role in our vision to showcase the contribution of our First Nations people and connect more Indigenous communities to our game."

Sam Gibson, Head of AFL Northern Territory, said the event was more than just a match.

"As AFLW Dreamtime returns to Darwin for a second year, it's clear this match has already struck a powerful chord," he said.

"We're proud to work alongside Essendon, Richmond, the Northern Territory Government and the local community to bring this celebration of women's football and Indigenous culture to life.

"The incredible support from the local and interstate community last year showed just how meaningful this event is โ€“ not just as a game, but as a moment of connection, recognition, and pride for the people of the Northern Territory."

The 2025 AFLW Season will start on Thursday, August 14th when Carlton take on Collingwood at IKON Park.