Brisbane has once again cashed in on an away clash in Gather Round, with the league confirming they will face North Melbourne for a third time.
The reigning premiers took on the Western Bulldogs last year, but will return to South Australia to take on the Shinboners at Barossa Park.
As a result, the Lions rank as the best team in Gather Round over three seasons, remaining undefeated with a percentage of 179.6.
SEE MORE: The FULL 2026 Gather Round Fixture
Essendon and Melbourne will renew pleasantries in the neighbouring state at the Adelaide Oval for the third time, proving to be a side plate to the rest of the weekend's main course, placed strategically outside primetime.
Adelaide has weekend opening duties once again, facing Carlton on Thursday night; a fixture that kicked off the inaugural Gather Round.
After replacing Collingwood as the weekend's closers, SA powerhouse Port Adelaide will complete the 2026 edition against a new-look St Kilda, who have demanded more time-popular contests.
As for the Blues, they continue their string of games against interstate clubs, having previously fought Fremantle and West Coast.
The Eagles will take on Geelong in 2026, which will be their second time at Gather Round.
2026 Gather Round Fixture
Adelaide Carlton, Adelaide Oval, 7:10pm
Essendon v Melbourne, Adelaide Oval, 12:05pm
2025 Gather Round results
Adelaide (100) def. by Geelong (119)
Collingwood (109) def. Sydney (78)
North Melbourne (89) def. by Gold Coast (141)
Carlton (121) def. West Coast (50)
Western Bulldogs (97) def. by Brisbane (118)
Melbourne (57) def. by Essendon (96)
Richmond (47) def. by Fremantle (108)
St Kilda (82) def. by GWS (110)
Port Adelaide (121) def. Hawthorn (91)
2024 Gather Round results
Adelaide (63) def. by Melbourne (78)
Brisbane (112) def. North Melbourne (42)
Port Adelaide (111) def. Essendon (42)
West Coast (78) def. by Sydney (104)
Fremantle (63) def. by Carlton (73)
Western Bulldogs (91) def. by Geelong (95)
Gold Coast (89) def. by GWS (117)
Richmond (60) def. by St Kilda (67)
Collingwood (77) def. Hawthorn (72)
2023 Gather Round results
Adelaide (118) def. Carlton (62)
Fremantle (100) def. Gold Coast (90)
Richmond (78) def. by Sydney (122)
Brisbane (152) def. North Melbourne (77)
Essendon (104) def. Melbourne (77)
Port Adelaide (70) def. Western Bulldogs (56)
Geelong (136) def. West Coast (89)
GWS (77) def. Hawthorn (75)
Collingwood (70) def. St Kilda (64)
Gather Round Ladder
| Position | Club | Played | Points | % | Win | Loss | Draw | PF | PA |
| 1 | Brisbane | 3 | 12 | 176.9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 382 | 216 |
| 2 | Port Adelaide | 3 | 12 | 159.8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 302 | 189 |
| 3 | Geelong | 3 | 12 | 125.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 350 | 280 |
| 4 | GWS | 3 | 12 | 123.6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 304 | 246 |
| 5 | Collingwood | 3 | 12 | 119.6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 256 | 214 |
| 6 | Fremantle | 3 | 8 | 129.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 271 | 210 |
| 7 | Sydney | 3 | 8 | 114.7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 304 | 265 |
| 8 | Carlton | 3 | 8 | 110.8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 256 | 231 |
| 9 | Essendon | 3 | 8 | 98.8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 242 | 245 |
| 10 | Adelaide | 3 | 4 | 108.5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 281 | 259 |
| 11 | Gold Coast | 3 | 4 | 104.6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 320 | 306 |
| 12 | St Kilda | 3 | 4 | 88.8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 213 | 240 |
| 13 | Melbourne | 3 | 4 | 80.6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 212 | 263 |
| 14 | Hawthorn | 3 | 0 | 86.5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 238 | 275 |
| 15 | Western Bulldogs | 3 | 0 | 86.2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 244 | 283 |
| 16 | Richmond | 3 | 0 | 62.3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 185 | 297 |
| 17 | West Coast | 3 | 0 | 60.1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 217 | 361 |
| 18 | North Melbourne | 3 | 0 | 51.4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 208 | 405 |
