AFL fixture: Sydney the big winner as St Kilda completely snubbed in primetime

Sydney will be the prime time kings next year, but one club has been snubbed completely as the AFL released the first 16 rounds of the 2027 fixture.

Friday night double headers will feature again next year, while a notable addition to the fixture will be more Sunday night games with the first 13 rounds to feature a match starting after 6pm EST.

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But the Swans are the big winners with a league-high nine matches on Thursday or Friday night, plus the season-opening clash against Geelong on a Wednesday night.

“We know how much Sydneysiders love coming to the SCG under lights for blockbuster games, and we welcome the opportunity to showcase the Swans across the country in prime-time slots,” Swans CEO Matthew Pavlich said.

“Opening the season in a stand-alone fixture is a privilege and a massive boost for AFL in the city of Sydney, so we can’t wait to take on the Cats on March 17.

“This is a great endorsement from the AFL that footy in Sydney is thriving, and we expect our 2027 men’s season to be one that is full of excitement with the stands at the SCG rocking.”

Grand finalists Brisbane and Fremantle have also been rewarded with eight each, while premiership fancy Hawthorn and Adelaide have seven apiece.

Every club will be feature on a Thursday or Friday, except for St Kilda. The Saints do open the season with a home blockbuster at the MCG against Collingwood, but the majority of their games are in the Saturday and Sunday afternoon slots.

St Kilda finished a disappointing 11th this year despite spending big on recruits Tom De Koning, Sam Flanders, Jack Silvagni and Liam Ryan and will head into next year under extreme pressure.

The grudge matches for 2027 have been revealed, with prized Hawthorn recruit Zach Merrett to face the Bombers in Round 3 and Zak Butters to face his former Port Adelaide teammates in Round 4.

Merrett’s trade away from Essendon was more than a year in the making, with the Bombers’ refusal to let him leave at the end of 2025 leaving a sour taste in his mouth.

The 31-year-old eventually got his wish during the recent trade period, and the star midfielder will go up against the Bombers on a Saturday night, April 3 at the MCG.

The following round, on April 11, Port host the Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval, with Butters in line to receive a frosty reception from diehard Power supporters.

AFL games record-holder Scott Pendlebury’s move from Collingwood to Gold Coast threw up an interesting stat.

Pendlebury played in 11 venues across his glittering 442-game career at Collingwood.

Next year, Gold Coast have been fixtured to play in a whopping 13 different venues across the opening 16 rounds alone, with Pendlebury having to wait until Round 15 to face the Pies.

Former GWS captain Toby Greene, who was traded to the Cats, will face the Giants at ENGIE Stadium in Round 7, while former Lions star Lachie Neale has the chance to run out for Collingwood against Brisbane in the Easter Thursday match at the Gabba in Round 2.

The grand final rematch between Fremantle and Brisbane will take place at Optus Stadium on Sunday, May 9.

Rounds 17 to 24 remain floating with the AFL to confirm dates and times later in the season.

Thursday/Friday matches, R1-16

7 - Adelaide, Hawthorn (3/4)

6 - Collingwood, Geelong (3/3)

5 - Carlton, Melbourne (2/3)

5 - Western Bulldogs (3/2)

1 - Essendon, GWS, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide & Richmond (0/1)