AFL scraps Opening Round for 2027 season, restores all-18-team Round One

Change follows two seasons of criticism; season start delayed by one week for cricket test match anniversary

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published27 October 2026

Read Time3 min

The AFL has abandoned the Opening Round fixture after two seasons, announcing that all 18 clubs will play in a traditional Round One from the 2027 season onwards. Chief Executive Andrew Dillon said the league had listened to feedback over the fixture, which had drawn criticism for creating an uneven playing field by giving early-season byes to the teams that played in it.

The Opening Round was introduced in 2025, allowing NSW and Queensland clubs to play a round of home games before the rest of the competition began. The move was widely seen as a response to the NRL's decision to stage its season-opening games in Las Vegas. This year's draw also featured one game at the MCG.

Critics argued the system compromised the integrity of the competition. Former premiership coach and ABC analyst Mick Malthouse said the Opening Round had a "completely negative impact" on the season. "All round zero did was compromise the ability of sides to be ready for the next game," he told ABC Sport, adding that the fixture meant the ladder was not meaningful until Round 4. "We don't need it and it's a blessing now that we don't have it," Malthouse said.

The president of the AFL Fans' Association, Ron Issko, welcomed the reinstatement of a full Round One, saying the old format felt like a "soft launch" that lacked energy. "Credit to the AFL for listening," Issko said.

In a statement, AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon confirmed the change. "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," he said.

Round One of the 2027 season has been delayed by one week due to the 150th anniversary Test cricket match between Australia and England at the MCG. It will run from March 17 to 21, featuring matches in NSW, Victoria, Western Australia, and South Australia. The scheduled matches are: Sydney Swans v Geelong (March 17, SCG), Fremantle v Western Bulldogs (March 18, Perth Stadium), Hawthorn v Brisbane Lions (March 19, MCG), Richmond v Carlton (March 20, MCG), Adelaide Crows v GWS Giants (March 20, Adelaide Oval), St Kilda v Collingwood (March 20, MCG), North Melbourne v Port Adelaide (March 21, Docklands Stadium), Melbourne v Essendon (March 21, MCG), and West Coast Eagles v Gold Coast Suns (March 21, Perth Stadium).

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The end of the Opening Round addresses a two-year controversy over competition integrity, ensuring all clubs start the season on equal footing without the structural distortion of early-season byes.
Fans and clubs regain a traditional national season launch, restoring the energy and spectacle of a unified opening weekend.
The one-week delay to accommodate the cricket anniversary highlights the increasing competition for calendar space between Australia's major sporting codes.

Background

The Opening Round, often referred to as 'Round Zero,' was introduced in 2025 as the AFL's response to the NRL's decision to launch its season in Las Vegas. It saw NSW and Queensland clubs play a home game before the rest of the competition began, granting them a head start followed by an awkward early-season bye. The concept was heavily criticised by coaches, media commentators, and fans for distorting the premiership ladder and compromising player preparation.

Key Perspectives

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon: said the league listened to feedback and is pleased to deliver a Round One for all 18 clubs, returning to a traditional nine-game opening weekend. Mick Malthouse (ABC analyst and former coach): argued the Opening Round compromised the fixture, had a "completely negative impact," and meant the competition ladder was not meaningful until Round 4. Ron Issko (President, AFL Fans' Association): welcomed the change, describing the old format as a "soft launch" that diluted season-start energy, and credited the AFL for listening.

What to Watch

How the one-week delay for the cricket test reshapes club preparation schedules and the broader sporting calendar.
Whether the NRL responds to the AFL dropping its direct counter-programming strategy or continues to pursue overseas season launches.
Monitor feedback from clubs and players on the return to a standardised start to the season and whether any residual scheduling issues remain.

Sources

AFL abandons Opening Round for season 2027 · ABC News

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe AFL has scrapped Opening Round and restored a Round One featuring all 18 teams for 2027.Just In: “The AFL has abandoned Opening Round for 2027 with all 18 teams now drawn to play in Round One.”
SupportedThe change follows two seasons in which Opening Round was criticised.Just In: “Opening Round was played in the prior two seasons but was widely criticised for compromising the competition.”
SupportedThe 2027 season start is delayed by one week because of the 150th anniversary Test cricket match.Just In: “The AFL's first game in 2027 will be delayed by one week due to the 150th anniversary Test cricket match.”
Partly supportedAll 18 clubs will play in a traditional Round One from 2027 onwards.Just In: “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.”
SupportedAndrew Dillon said the AFL had listened to feedback over the fixture.Just In: ““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.”
SupportedEarly-season byes for Opening Round teams gave them an advantage and created an uneven playing field.Just In: “Critics say the fixturing caused distortions in the draw, giving an advantage to the teams that played in Opening Round.”
Partly supportedMalthouse said Opening Round had a “completely negative impact” on the season.Just In: ““It had zero impact on the public; in fact, I'll go in the reverse and say it had a completely negative impact.””
SupportedMalthouse said, “All round zero did was compromise the ability of sides to be ready for the next game.”Just In: ““All round zero did was compromise the ability of sides to be ready for the next game,” Malthouse said.”
Partly supportedMalthouse said the ladder was not meaningful until Round 4.Just In: “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.”
Partly supportedIssko described the old format as a “soft launch.”Just In: ““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.””
SupportedRound One of the 2027 season will run from March 17 to 21.Just In: “Round One of the 2027 season will be played from March 17-21, with matches in NSW, Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria.”
SupportedOpening Round was widely seen as a response to the NRL staging its season-opening games in Las Vegas.Just In: “Opening Round was seen as a response to the NRL starting its season in Las Vegas, in the United States.”