AFL abandons Opening Round for season 2027

The AFL has abandoned the Opening Round fixture from the past two seasons, with all 18 clubs now set to play in Round One in 2027.The previous seasons saw the four teams based in New South Wales and Queensland play home games, while this year's draw also included one game at the MCG.The split fixture meant each of the teams that played in the Opening Round — also referred to as round zero — subsequently had an early season bye.Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs during Opening Round in 2026 in Brisbane. (Getty Images: AFL Photos/Russell Freeman)Critics say the fixturing caused distortions in the draw, giving an advantage to the teams that played in Opening Round."We have listened to feedback and are pleased to be able to deliver a Round One for all our 18 clubs and fans as we bring back a traditional nine-game opening weekend across the country," AFL chief Andrew Dillon said in a statement.Andrew Dillon announced the codes in-principle agreement to a new Illicit Drugs Policy in March. (Getty Images: Quinn Rooney)Former premiership coach with West Coast and Collingwood and now ABC analyst, Mick Malthouse, said Opening Round compromised the fixture."We don't need it and it's a blessing now that we don't have it," he told ABC Sport."Let me say that 'zero round' was appropriately named."It had zero impact on the public; in fact, I'll go in the reverse and say it had a completely negative impact."Malthouse said the early season byes caused by the Opening Round meant the ladder was not meaningful until all teams had played the same number of games, which in the season just passed did not happen until the end of Round 4."All round zero did was compromise the ability of sides to be ready for the next game," Malthouse said.Mick Malthouse said Opening Round compromised the AFL draw. (Getty Images: Mark Dadswell)"If you've got a game tucked under your belt, you're ready; you're miles in front of the next side."And don't worry about the results of those games; it's more important about the long-term effect on players.The president of the AFL Fans' Association, Ron Issko, welcomed the move to reinstate a full Round One."Credit to the AFL for listening," he told ABC Sport."When you start a season after waiting six months for the season to start and not all teams are playing, it's sort of like a soft launch."It just didn't have that energy."We're a national competition and what's better than having all teams playing on Round One."The AFL's move to highlight games in NSW and Queensland was seen as a response to the National Rugby League's move to stage that competition's opening games in Las Vegas.Opening Round was seen as a response to the NRL starting its season in Las Vegas, in the United States. (AAP: Supplied/NRL Photos)"We've looked over the border and so seeing that there's games played in Las Vegas, [said] 'Wow, if that's the way they operate, let us do something similar,'" Malthouse said."Forget about what's happening over the border and in fact embrace what's over the border and applaud them," he said.Round One of the 2027 season will be played from March 17-21, with matches in NSW, Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria.Hawthorn will play triple-premiers Brisbane in Round One of the 2027 AFL season. (Getty Images: Steve Bell)It has been delayed one week from the usual season start time by the test cricket 150th anniversary match between Australia and England at the MCG.The season will kick off with a match between the Sydney Swans and Geelong at the SCG on Wednesday, March 17.The following night, losing grand finalist Fremantle will play the Western Bulldogs at home.Three-time reigning premiers Brisbane will play on the Friday night against Hawthorn at the MCG.Wednesday 17 March | Sydney Swans vs Geelong Cats, 7:30pm, SCGThursday 18 March | Fremantle vs Western Bulldogs, 5:10pm, Perth StadiumFriday 19 March | Hawthorn vs Brisbane Lions, 7:40pm, MCGSaturday 20 March | Richmond vs Carlton, 12:35pm, MCGSaturday 20 March | Adelaide Crows vs GWS GIANTS, 3:45pm, Adelaide OvalSaturday 20 March | St Kilda vs Collingwood, 7:40pm, MCGSunday 21 March | North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide, 1:10pm, Docklands StadiumSunday 21 March | Melbourne vs Essendon, 3:15pm, MCGSunday 21 March | West Coast Eagles vs Gold Coast SUNS, 3:10pm, Perth Stadium