The AFL is pleased to confirm the 2027 Toyota AFL Premiership Season will officially begin in mid-March 2027 with Round 1 to feature all 18 clubs in a traditional nine-game round of football fixtured across the country.
Round 1 will be played from Wednesday 17 or Thursday 18 March through Sunday 21 March, with confirmed opening night and match to be released with the fixture.
The season starting date is a week later in 2027 to accommodate the MCG hosting the historic 150th anniversary Test match between Australia and England from March 11-15, 2027.
The 24-round home-and-away season will conclude on Sunday 30 August, with the five-week finals series beginning with the two Wildcard Finals starting in the first week of September.
The 2027 Toyota AFL Grand Final will be held on Saturday, 2 October 2027.
Gather Round will take place from Thursday 8 April through to Sunday 11 April, 2027.
Further milestone dates for the 2027 football calendar, including pre-season dates and AAMI AFL Origin, will be communicated shortly.
The AFL will confirm the 2027 Toyota Premiership Season fixture later in the year.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said:
"We're really pleased to be able to provide fans and clubs with this clarity well ahead of the 2027 season.
"To accommodate the historic 150th anniversary test match at the MCG next March, we have been working through alternative options to deliver the start of the AFL season.
"After important feedback from fans and stakeholders and consultation with clubs and broadcasters, Round 1 will see the return of a traditional nine-game round played across the country.
"Before we get there, we are focused on making the end to the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership season one to remember, after an all-time record-breaking home and away attendance and the inaugural Wildcard Finals delivering record broadcast and crowd numbers.
"The passion of footy fans is unmatched. We're looking forward to another four big matches this coming weekend across Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia."
