MELBOURNE, 03 March 2026 – The 2026 AFL Premiership season has officially arrived, marking one of the most significant structural shifts in the league’s history. Following the conclusion of the AAMI Community Series on Sunday, 01 March, the focus shifts to “Opening Round,” which begins this week. This season introduces a revamped finals system and updated scheduling rules designed to increase competitive balance across the 18-club competition.
2026 Season Structure and Key Changes
The 2026 fixture maintains the 23-match regular season format but introduces a major change to the post-season. For the first time, the AFL will implement a 10-team finals series, featuring a “Wildcard Round” where the teams finishing 7th through 10th will compete for a spot in the traditional final eight.
The league has also updated its “weighted rule” for the 2026 fixture. This system divides the previous year’s ladder into thirds (top, middle, and bottom six) to determine “double-up” games, ensuring that the strongest teams face each other more frequently to maintain a level playing field.
Opening Round Fixture Highlights
The 2026 season officially kicks off with a series of high-profile matches. Notably, the Adelaide Crows—last year’s minor premiers—will face Collingwood at the MCG in a highly anticipated grudge match. The round concludes this Sunday with the Magpies backing up to take on St Kilda.
| Round / Phase | Key Dates (2026) | Notable Events |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Season | 25 February – 01 March | AAMI Community Series |
| Opening Round | Starts 05 March | Adelaide vs. Collingwood (MCG) |
| Gather Round | April (TBC) | All 18 teams in South Australia |
| Regular Season | March – August | 23 matches per club |
| Wildcard Round | September | 9th vs. 10th and 7th vs. 8th |
Latest Updates: Team News and Rules
As of today, 03 March, clubs are finalizing their squads for the Opening Round. Carlton has received a significant boost with key players cleared of injury, while Collingwood is preparing for a heavy workload in the first week of the season.
Off the field, AFL Football Boss Greg Swann has addressed concerns regarding new ruck rules introduced for the 2026 season. The league conceded today that while the rule changes are intended to improve the flow of the game, there is an acknowledged risk of “unintended consequences,” such as PCL injuries, which medical staffs are monitoring closely as the first bounce approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams make the finals in 2026?
In 2026, the finals series has expanded to include 10 teams. The teams finishing 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th will participate in a Wildcard Round to determine who joins the top six in the standard finals bracket.
What is the “Weighted Rule” in the AFL fixture?
The weighted rule is a scheduling mechanism where the 18 teams are grouped based on their finishing position from the previous season. This ensures that top-tier teams play more games against other top-tier opponents, while bottom-tier teams have a theoretically easier schedule to assist with ladder climb.
When is the 2026 AFL Grand Final?
While the exact date depends on the final scheduling of the new Wildcard Round, the AFL Grand Final is traditionally held on the last Saturday of September or the first Saturday of October at the MCG.
How many games does each team play?
Each team plays 23 games during the home-and-away season. This includes 11 home games, 11 away games, and one additional game played during “Gather Round.”