It still feels like cricket and tennis season but it’s time for AFL 2026 to get up and running.
As in previous years, AFL clubs will play two scheduled pre-season matches – a match simulation and an AAMI Community Series match under standard rules.
Will your club get their preparation right with the AFL season set to start in early March?
The Sporting News lists all the AFL pre-season games for 2026.
AFL State of Origin fixtureDateMatchup/ResultVenueTime (Local)Sat, Feb 14Western Australia vs. VictoriaOptus Stadium4:40pm AWSTAFL match simulation schedule, fixtureDateMatchup/ResultVenueTime (Local)Mon, Feb 16Hawthorn vs. GeelongKennedy Community Centre3:15pm AEDTWed, Feb 18Brisbane vs. CarltonBrighton Homes Arena5:00pm AESTThu, Feb 19Western Bulldogs vs. SydneyMission Whitten Oval2:00pm AEDTThu, Feb 19Gold Coast vs. St KildaPeople First Stadium6:45pm AESTFri, Feb 20Essendon vs. RichmondNEC Hangar10:30am AEDTFri, Feb 20GWS GIANTS vs. CollingwoodLa Trobe University11:00am AEDTFri, Feb 20Melbourne vs. North MelbourneCasey Fields4:30pm AEDTFri, Feb 20Port Adelaide vs. AdelaideAlberton Oval5:30pm ACDTSat, Feb 21Fremantle vs. West CoastVictor George Kailis Oval9:00am AWSTAAMI Community Series fixture, scheduleDateMatchup/ResultVenueTime (Local)Wed, Feb 25Carlton vs. GeelongIkon Park7:10pm AEDTThu, Feb 26Sydney vs. GWS GIANTSHenson Park4:10pm AEDTThu, Feb 26Brisbane vs. Gold CoastBrighton Homes Arena6:10pm AESTFri, Feb 27Melbourne vs. RichmondMars Stadium4:10pm AEDTFri, Feb 27Western Bulldogs vs. HawthornMission Whitten Oval7:10pm AEDTSat, Feb 28St Kilda vs. EssendonMars Stadium3:10pm AEDTSat, Feb 28Fremantle vs. AdelaideRushton Park (Mandurah)3:10pm AWSTSun, Mar 1North Melbourne vs. CollingwoodMars Stadium3:10pm AEDTSun, Mar 1West Coast vs. Port AdelaideMineral Resources Park3:10pm AWST