The 10 must-watch games of the 2026 AFL season

The 2026 AFL Fixture is here, and with it comes a number of clashes that are set to gain greater attention than most. From the grand final rematch to a host of players coming up against their old clubs for the first time, the new season will be littered with enticing encounters across the course of the year. Here are the 10 must-watch matches for the 2026 AFL season... Sydney Swans vs Carlton Blues - Opening Round The biggest deal during the AFL Trade Period saw Charlie Curnow move to the Swans for Will Hayward, and Ollie Florent also moved to the Blues in a separate deal. The AFL are kicking off the season with arguably the biggest storyline coming out of the AFL Trade Period, with Curnow set to face off his former side in the first round of the season. Hayward and Florent will both be fired up to face their former side after being pushed out of the club to complete the Curnow deal. Sydney will be looking to carry their form from the end of the 2025 season and push themselves back into finals, and the Blues are in the same boat after missing finals as well in 2025. Carlton vs Richmond - Round 1 After Richmond's shock upset over the Blues to kick off Round 1 in 2025, having been down 41 points, they went on to beat Carlton by 13. This defeat railroaded Carlton's season before it really had begun, starting zero and four, and not recording their first win until Gather Round against the West Coast Eagles. The young Tigers will look to do the same to start their 2026 season and derail Carton's season once again. Hawthorn vs Essendon - Round 1 Another massive storyline from the AFL Trade Period involves Essendon Captain Zach Merrett, after he tried to facilitate a trade to the Hawks, but was unable to be completed. The Hawks and the Bombers already have a big enough rivalry as it is, but it may be amplified after Merrett's failed trade. The Bombers will likely be at the lower end of the ladder, continuing to play a lot of their younger players and rebuild their side, but expect the Bombers to still show up for their matchup against the Hawks. Essendon have had the Hawks' number over recent years, but expect the Hawks to get the job done to kick off their season. Melbourne vs St Kilda - Round 1 This matchup last season, between two bottom-10 teams, on a Sunday evening, turned out to be one of the greatest games of the season. St Kilda managed to pull off the largest fourth-quarter comeback in V/AFL history after being down by 46 points at three-quarter time off the back of some heroics from Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera. Also, former St Kilda Captain Jack Steele was forced out of the club and traded to the Demons. Steele will match up against the Saints' new look midfield, with recruits Sam Flanders and ruckman Tom De Koning. Given it'll open the season for the Demons, new coach Steven King will also get his first game in charge of the red and blue. Adelaide vs Collingwood - Round 1 The Crows and the Pies matchup never disappoints. Over the last five, the average winning margin is 8.6 points, with the Pies winning four of the five matchups. With both teams finishing in the top four last season, this sets up to be another close thriller between the Crows and the Pies. The Crows will be looking to bounce back in 2026 after finishing top four, but exiting the finals in straight sets. They have proven they can be a great side, but need to set themselves up to succeed in the finals. This matchup has proven over recent years that it should be one that all AFL fans tune into, whether it is controversial umpire decisions or down-to-the-wire finishes. Hawthorn vs Geelong - Round 4 The annual Easter Monday clash never disappoints, and the preliminary final clash between the Cats and the Hawks has heightened it. Geelong beat the Hawks by 30 points to get themselves into the grand final last season, and beat them on Easter Monday by seven points. The Cats have won the last five matchups between the two sides with an average winning margin of 41, with the Hawks' last win coming in 2022. With the Hawks' continued rise, they will be looking grab a win against the Cats next season, and when both teams are up and firing, it will be a close match. Brisbane vs Collingwood - Round 4 Ever since the 2023 Grand Final, matchups between the Pies and Lions have been must-watch, with the Lions getting the last laugh last season, beating the Pies in the preliminary final. The sides have been evenly matched over the last three seasons, playing eight matches against each other, including finals, with both sides winning four games. The Pies will be looking for revenge after the Lions beat them in the Preliminary Final by 29 points in front of a sold-out crowd at the MCG. Brisbane's elite midfield will be their biggest edge over the Pies. If the Lions can quell Nick Daicos' impact on the game, they should get the job done over the Pies. Collingwood vs Essendon - Round 7 Anzac Day is always a must-watch spectacle on the AFL fixture, with two fierce rivals battling it out for the ANZAC spirit. No matter how good or bad either team is, it will always be an exciting contest, with both teams rising for the occasion. The Pies have won three out of the last five Anzac Day matchups, with the two sides unable to be split in 2024, which resulted in a draw. Carlton vs St Kilda - Round 8 Carlton lost some key players to the Saints during free agency, with Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni leaving the side. The Saints' list is already full of former Carlton Players, with Jack Carroll, Paddy Dow and Liam Stocker, now adding De Koning and Silvagni. The two teams have had some great matchups over the years, including Jack Higgins kicking a goal just before the siren, almost knocking the Blues out of the finals in 2024. The Saints splashed their cash during the trade period, and will be looking to jump the teams above them from last season, including Carlton and push themselves into the Finals. Brisbane Lions vs Geelong Cats - Round 10 The grand final is always a matchup that doesn't disappoint. Geelong will be looking to get some early revenge after the Lions beat them by 47 points in the 2025 Grand Final. Heading into 2026, Geelong's best 23 is relatively unchanged; the majority of players who featured in their grand final loss will line up again against the Lions in 2026. The Lions and the Cats faced off four times during the 2025 season, including the first qualifying final and the grand final, with the Lions winning three of the four matchups. Both of these sides will likely finish at the pointy end of the ladder; it should be a thrilling contest between two strong teams.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9

The 10 must-watch games of the 2026 AFL season

With the fixture released, we’ve circled the most enticing matchups for next year.

5Adelaide vs Collingwood - Round 1

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