The AFL pre-season 2026 is heating up with a jam-packed schedule of practice matches, the AAMI Community Series and the highly anticipated season opener.
In between, there’s the SSP deadline and intra-club matches.
Whether you’re planning to attend games or just want to know when footy returns, here’s everything you need to know about the build-up to Opening Round.
When are the practice matches?
The unofficial match simulation sessions, organised by the clubs themselves, kick off on February 16.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16
Hawthorn v Geelong, Kennedy Community Centre, 3.15pm AEDT (4 x 30-minute quarters, no time on)
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Brisbane v Carlton, Brighton Homes Arena, 5pm AEST (4 x 30 min quarters, no time on)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Western Bulldogs v Sydney, Mission Whitten Oval, 2pm AEDT (4 x 30-minute quarters, no time on)
Gold Coast v St Kilda, People First Stadium, 6.45pm AEST (4 x 20 min quarters, plus time on)
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 20
Essendon v Richmond, NEC Hangar, 10.30am AEDT. (4 x 30-minute quarters, no time on)
Collingwood v GWS, La Trobe University Sports Park, 11am AEDT (4 x 25-minute quarters, no time on)
Melbourne v North Melbourne, Casey Fields, 4.30pm AEDT (4 x 25-minute quarters, no time-on)
Port Adelaide v Adelaide, Alberton Oval, 5.30pm ACDT (4 x 20 min quarters, plus time on)
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21
Fremantle v West Coast, Victor George Kailis Oval, 9am AWDT (4 x 25-minute quarters, no time-on)
Who are the pre-season standouts?
You can see the club-by-club January breakdown of every club’s pre-season here.
Want more access? Jay Clark takes you behind the scenes of St Kilda’s culture-shaping pre-season camp here.
A West Coast fan? Eliza Reilly rates the 10 standout Eagles in match sim here.
AFL State of Origin will return on February 14, with Western Australian playing Victoria at Optus Stadium.
Who’s playing? CODE Sports predicts the final team line-ups here.
When are the official AAMI Community Series games?
The official pre-season games start on February 25.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25
Carlton v Geelong, Ikon Park, 7.10PM AEDT
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26
Sydney v GWS, Henson Park 4.10pm AEDT
Brisbane Lionsv Gold Coast, Brighton Homes Arena, 7.10pm AEDT
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27
Melbourne v Richmond, Mars Stadium, 4.10pm AEDT
Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn, Mission Whitten Oval, 7.10pm AEDT
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28
St Kilda v Essendon, Mars Stadium, 3.10pm AEDT
Fremantle v Adelaide Crows, Rushton Park, 6.10pm AEDT
SUNDAY, MARCH 1
North Melbourne v Collingwood, Mars Stadium, 3.10pm AEDT
West Coast Eagles v Port Adelaide, Mineral Resources Park, 6.10pm AEDT
How do I watch the AFL 2026 pre -season?
All AAMI Community Series games, plus the unofficial match simulation sessions, will be broadcast live on Fox Footy and Kayo Sports.
When is the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP) deadline?
The deadline for player signings in the SSP period is February 20, with competition for list spots heating up around the country – especially at Hawthorn where Werribee star Jack Riding was invited to train on Tuesday.
Sydney and Carlton kick off Opening Round at the SCG on Thursday, March 5, where Charlie Curnow is set to face his old side.
See how the new Swan is faring on the track here.
Collingwood and St Kilda close Opening Round at the MCG on Sunday, March 8 after four games in Queensland and New South Wales.
Round 1 begins with the traditional Thursday night clash between Carlton and Richmond on Thursday, March 12.
When does AFL SuperCoach start?
AFL SuperCoach will start in round 1. Scores from Opening Round will not count to your team’s total, but will affect player price changes.
Need some help? Start with the most important article in SuperCoach – the 2026 Rookie Bible, featuring every cheapie you must pick.
Originally published as AFL 2026 pre-season guide: Practice matches, Community Series and season start dates