AFL fixture 2026: Magpies the primetime kings – and Rankine will return to face them

The AFL is banking on Collingwood and Carlton being primetime kings once again, while North Melbourne have been banished from the spotlight as the league released the full 2026 fixture on Thursday.

The Magpies have emerged as primetime darlings, appearing on either a Thursday or Friday in six of their opening 10 rounds. Collingwood will face Adelaide in round one at the MCG – a highly anticipated grudge match that will likely mark the return of Izak Rankine for the first time since his suspension for using homophobic language against a Pies opponent the last time they met.

Patrick Cripps evades a Harry Perryman tackle.Credit: Getty Images

The Blues have four of the first seven Thursday night matches and Good Friday match against North Melbourne. That includes new Swan Charlie Curnow’s first-up match against his old side in the opening round clash between Carlton and Sydney on March 5.

North Melbourne – who finished the 2025 season with only five wins – have no free-to-air matches in the first 15 rounds except for their Good Friday match against Carlton.

For the first time, opening round will feature a match in Victoria when St Kilda host Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday night ahead of the state’s Monday Labour Day public holiday.

A grand final rematch between Brisbane and Geelong will take place on the Lions’ home turf with a Thursday night game at the Gabba on May 14.

Josh Bowler, the AFL’s head of broadcast and scheduling, said the 2026 fixture aimed to build momentum throughout the year and highlighted the growth of footy in Queensland and NSW.

“Both Queensland and New South Wales had record participation numbers this year with Queensland now sitting second in the country for AFL participation trailing only Victoria,” he said.

“Friday night double headers feature five times across the first half of the season which will maximise attendance and kickstart the weekend of footy.

“We are excited to have a slate of marquee Thursday and Friday night matches with a great mix of clubs involved.”

In other highlights

• Essendon have two Friday night games including round one against Hawthorn and Dreamtime at the MCG as well as a Sunday night before Labour Day against Carlton. They are then banished from prime time.
• Dreamtime at the ’G will again be a Friday night marquee clash in round 11 between
  Richmond and Essendon.
• Anzac round will take place in round seven with the traditional Anzac eve match
  between Richmond and Melbourne on Friday night.
• Games will also return to Canberra, Bunbury, Alice Springs, Hobart and Launceston.

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