AFL fixtures: Early Magpies-Crows grudge match locked in as 2026 matches schedule released
Adelaide star Izak Rankine will miss a guaranteed spiteful rematch against Collingwood, with the AFL sending the Crows to the MCG to face the Magpies for their 2026 opener.
Rankine was suspended for four games after admitting to using a homophobic slur against a Collingwood opponent during Adelaide’s thrilling round-23 win this year.
The 25-year-old had to sit out the Crows’ last home and away game against North Melbourne.
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Collingwood secured redemption for their late-season defeat at the Adelaide Oval, upsetting the Crows in the qualifying final at the same venue.
The Adelaide crowd came under fire during that match for the sustained booing of Isaac Quaynor whenever the Collingwood defender touched the ball.
While the March 14 match will be Adelaide’s first of the season, Collingwood will be involved in the first Opening Round game to be played in Victoria six days earlier.
After four matches in NSW and Queensland, the Magpies will face St Kilda at the MCG on March 8 to end the first weekend of the season.
Following on from their first finals appearance since their capitulation in the 2017 premiership decider, Adelaide will be the Thursday night kings in 2026.
Matthew Nicks’ team is locked into the marquee timeslot five times - the most of any team - during the first 15 rounds.
Beaten grand finalists Geelong have the most prime-time games before the floating fixture starts in round 16, set to play eight matches on a Thursday or Friday night.
The Cats’ grand final rematch against the Brisbane Lions will take place at the Gabba on a Thursday night to open round 10.
Geelong will then host Brisbane at GMHBA Stadium in round 17.
The Lions, who will be gunning to complete a premiership three-peat for the second time this century, have been mostly taken out of the spotlight by the AFL.
Brisbane have just three Thursday or Friday night matches - Collingwood (Easter Thursday), Geelong, and Carlton (round nine).
The Lions have been locked in to face Richmond at Ninja Stadium in Hobart after the Tigers agreed to sell a home game to Tasmania.
The AFL confirmed this fixture was compiled with the help of artificial intelligence, using software provider Fastbreak AI.
“This fixture aims to build momentum throughout the year and gives fans consistency to help strengthen rituals and traditions,” AFL scheduling and strategy boss Josh Bowler said.
“Footy continues to grow strongly in Queensland and New South Wales, with all four clubs in those states achieving record membership numbers.
“Friday night double headers feature five times across the first half of the season which will maximise attendance and kickstart the weekend of footy.”
