THE AFL has launched the 2026 AFL Opening Round in Sydney today, as the league celebrates the beginning of the highly anticipated 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon was joined by Logan McDonald (Sydney), Aaron Cadman(GWS GIANTS), Will Day (Hawthorn) and Nick Haynes (Carlton) at Sydney Town Hall this morning ahead of the opening match between the Swans and Carlton on Thursday night.

"2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for the game -  Australia's game - as the most played, watched and attended sport in the country," Dillon said.

"Opening Round will once again play a key role in growing awareness, participation, attendance and membership across the northern markets and the momentum is continuing to build in New South Wales and Queensland, contributing to a record 625,000 participants nationally in 2025."

Last year in NSW more than 78,000 people played Aussie Rules, contributing to a 10 per cent participation increase year-on-year. 2025 also saw average home crowd attendance reach more than 25,000, an increase of 62 per cent in the past decade.

Queensland footy also continues to thrive, with over 90,000 people playing Aussie Rules in 2025, a 13 per cent increase on 2024.

In addition to four games across NSW and QLD, Opening Round will see St Kilda and Collingwood face off at a packed MCG on Sunday night of the long weekend in Melbourne building excitement just four days before the traditional Round 1 rivalry of Carlton and Richmond on Thursday 12 March. 

Aussie Rules took over Sydney this morning with the club songs echoing throughout the Harbour City. Opening Round festivities will continue tomorrow when AFL CEO Andrew Dillon, GIANTS veteran Josh Kelly and CEO David Matthews visit a Western Sydney primary school as a part of the AFL School Connect program.

The 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership season starts this Thursday 5 March as the Sydney Swans host Carlton at the SCG. For tickets and more information head to afl.com.au/opening-round.