The AFL, Richmond Football Club and Essendon Football Club will bring some of the game's most iconic moments to Western Australia in 2027, with Dreamtime at Maali to headline a landmark weekend of football in the state.

Essendon and Richmond will meet at Optus Stadium during Round 16 for the inaugural Dreamtime at Maali match, coinciding with NAIDOC Week to bring the powerful celebration of First Nations culture, storytelling and contribution to Australian Football to more fans around the country.

In a two-year partnership with the Western Australian Government, Dreamtime at Maali will complement the annual Dreamtime at the 'G match between Richmond and Essendon which will continue to remain a centrepiece of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, with the additional Perth fixture creating another opportunity for supporters to experience one of the game's most significant occasions.

'Maali' is the Noongar word for Black Swan, an enduring symbol of Western Australia - the place in which this new chapter of the Dreamtime game will be written.

Dreamtime at Maali will take place on Sunday 4 July and supported by a broader program of cultural and community activities in Perth in the lead up to the match.

The week will also feature the 2027 Australian Football Hall of Fame, which is set to be held in Western Australia for the first time, on Tuesday 6 July.

The Australian Football Hall of Fame recognises the players, coaches, umpires, administrators and significant contributors whose achievements have shaped the game across generations and the country.

Staging the event in Perth will give the Western Australian football community the opportunity to be part of one of the game's most prestigious nights, alongside AFL and club representatives, current and former players, Hall of Fame members and members of the broader football industry.

Western Australia will also play host to various football industry conferences and meetings bringing key decision-makers from across the league to Perth, supported by Tourism WA and Business Events Perth.
Today's announcements add to a major year of football in Western Australia, with the 2027 AAMI AFL Origin scheduled for Saturday, 27 February at Optus Stadium.

The 2027 football program in Western Australia including Dreamtime at Maali, the Australian Football Hall of Fame and AAMI AFL Origin reflect the AFL's commitment to taking the game's biggest moments to fans around Australia and celebrating Australian Football as a truly national game.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said:
"Australian Football belongs to fans right across the country, and we are pleased to bring the Dreamtime Game and the Australian Football Hall of Fame to Perth as part of an incredible weekend for the game.
"The Dreamtime Game is one of the most powerful fixtures on the AFL calendar. This second Dreamtime fixture in Perth during NAIDOC Week will enable more supporters to share in its celebration of First Nations cultures and the extraordinary contribution of First Nations people to our game.

"Bringing the Hall of Fame to Western Australia for the first time will also allow us to celebrate the people who have shaped Australian Football in a state with a proud and enduring football history."

Richmond CEO Shane Dunne said:
"Dreamtime began with a shared ambition between Richmond and Essendon more than 20 years ago, and we are incredibly proud of what the two clubs have built together.

"What started as Dreamtime at the 'G has become an important platform to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and the enormous contribution Indigenous people have made to our game, while creating opportunities for storytelling, conversation and connection.

"Dreamtime at Maali is the next chapter in that story. Our ambition, together with Essendon, is to build an event that becomes a lasting part of the AFL calendar and something the Western Australian community can embrace.

"Maali, the Noongar word for black swan, gives this game its own identity and a strong connection to Western Australia. Just as importantly, we want the game and everything that surrounds it to be shaped through genuine engagement with local community, particularly the opportunities to engage and connect with young people.

"We sincerely thank Tourism Western Australia and the AFL for sharing and supporting that vision and for helping Richmond and Essendon bring this concept to life.

"There is also something exciting for our members and supporters. The match falls during the school holidays, and we hope thousands of fans from both clubs will take the opportunity to travel west, support the team and experience one of Australia's most spectacular destinations.

"Dreamtime has always demonstrated what can be achieved when football brings people together around something bigger than the game itself. This is another genuine collaboration between Richmond and Essendon, and we are excited about what we can build together in Western Australia."

Essendon CEO Tim Roberts said:
"Dreamtime means a great deal to Essendon people. It is a celebration of our proud and rich history, and of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, families and communities who have helped shape who we are as a club.

"Essendon has always believed in taking the club, and the game, to new places. Kevin Sheedy started Dreamtime with Richmond more than 20 years ago, and we're proud to host the first Dreamtime at Maali and take it to Western Australia.

"Dreamtime is one of the great spectacles in Australian sport, and we want as many Essendon members and supporters there as possible. It falls in the school holidays, so make a trip of it, come west and be part of history.

"We sincerely thank Tourism Western Australia and the Western Australian Government for their support, and for sharing our ambition for this game. It would not be possible without them.

"Most importantly, Dreamtime at Maali will be shaped with local community and built around young people. That's what Dreamtime has always been about."

Western Australian Premier and Tourism, Trade and Investment Minister Roger Cook said:
"Dreamtime at Maali will headline an unmissable weekend of AFL action in Perth, giving footy fans another fantastic reason to visit our State in 2027.

"Together with the Australian Football Hall of Fame being held in Western Australia for the first time, Dreamtime will make Perth the centre of attention for AFL fans and showcase our State to audiences across the country.

"Major events bring visitors to our State, support our hotels, restaurants and hospitality venues, and create opportunities for local jobs and businesses, which is why we continue to invest in a strong events calendar that fosters a vibrant visitor economy."

The 2027 Toyota AFL Premiership Fixture and further details, including match timing and ticketing information, will be announced soon afl.com.au.