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The 2025 AFL season will feature a record number of Thursday night games while the Kangaroos will play two extra ‘home’ games in WA.
The scheduling fixture was confirmed by AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon, according to the code’s website www.afl.com.au, ahead of tomorrow’s release of the full season fixture.
The scheduling change is part of the AFL’s new $4.5 billion broadcast deal, which starts next year.
“There has been a strong desire from fans and our broadcast partners for more Thursday night football and we are excited to be able to deliver in spades next season,” Dillon told the website.
“Fans will be able to take in 23 games of Thursday night football next season, which is more than there has ever been.”
The 2025 season will start on a Thursday night when reigning premiers Brisbane hosts Geelong at the Gabba and Carlton take on Richmond in their traditional round one fixture.
The AFL also confirmed Carlton-Hawthorn and Essendon-Port Adelaide matches on Thursday nights in rounds two and three respectively.
Thursday matches will feature in the first 16 weeks of the season, which will be locked in, with seven others later in the season as part of a floating fixture.
Essendon will play four Thursday games in the first 16 weeks with Brisbane, Carlton, Collingwood, Geelong, Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs all featuring three times.
WA MOVE FOR ROOS
Meanwhile, North Melbourne will play two annual home matches a year in WA for three years.
Games will be played at Bunbury’s Hands Oval and Perth’s Optus Stadium on back-to-back weekends in June against West Coast and Fremantle.
The WA Government says $5.7 million will be spent on upgrading Hands Oval to AFL standards in addition to $19.5m of work already under way at the venue.
Kangaroos CEO Jen Watt says the agreement “secures our financial future”.
Dockers CEO Simon Garlick says the deal cuts down on travel by one game for WA clubs “which is significant”.
West Coast Eagles CEO Don Pyke says they can’t wait to play at Bunbury, describing it as “a terrific initiative”.
