The 2024 footy season is almost upon us, but before the tip-off to the newly established ‘Round Zero‘, we have plenty of AFL Pre-Season games to enjoy.
Not only will there be the regular AFL Community Series, there will also be ‘Match Simulations’ that are played under an alternate format of time periods and squad sizes.
Starting with Melbourne vs Richmond, all 18 teams will play match simulation sessions in the first week of AFL Pre-Season games, to then be followed by your typical nine games of practice matches. Richmond will also open the AFL Community Series against Collingwood, followed by Carlton vs Melbourne — the four Victorian teams who are travelling interstate in the Opening Round against the two New South Wales and Queensland teams.
But there’s plenty more coming at us as well.
The matches will likely be the first opportunity supporters will get to watch their team’s latest signings and draftees don their team’s colours and see what they are made of.
AFL Pre-Season games Guide
Match Simulations: February 18-24
AFL Community Series: February 27-March 3
The pre-season fixtures will begin with the ‘Match Simulations’ on Sunday, February 18 at Casey Fields between the Melbourne Demons and Richmond Tigers.
That week following, all other teams will compete in the different Aussie Rules formatted games, ending on Saturday, February 24 between Perth rivals West Coast and Fremantle.
The AFL Community Series starts a few days later on February 27, before concluding on March 3 between St Kilda and North Melbourne.
How to watch the games
Foxtel (Fox Footy) & Kayo
As always, all the AFL fixtures will be shown on Fox Footy live and via Kayo for both live and on-demand streaming.
Pre-Season matches are also extremely cheap to attend live, with free entry for all match simulations, and free entry for members and kids to AFL Community Series.
Pre-Season draw
There’s two weeks full of practice matches to see how each team is shaping up ahead of the 2024 season. So here’s the upcoming schedule:
Match Simulations:
Sunday, February 18
Melbourne vs Richmond, Casey Fields, 10am AEDT
North Melbourne vs Collingwood, AIA Centre, 10am AEDT
Wednesday, February 21
North Melbourne vs Collingwood, AIA Centre, 10am AEDT
Thursday, February 22
Sydney vs GWS Giants, Tramway Oval, 10am AEDT
Carlton vs Geelong, Ikon Park, 11am AEDT
Brisbane vs Gold Coast, Brighton Homes Arena, 6pm AEDT
Friday, February 23
Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn, Whitten Oval, 11am AEDT
St Kilda vs Essendon, RSEA Park, 2pm AEDT
Port Adelaide vs Adelaide, Alberton Oval, 5:30pm AEDT
Saturday, February 24
West Coast vs Fremantle, Mineral Resources Park, 7:45pm AEDT
AFL Community Series:
Tuesday, February 27
Collingwood vs Richmond, Ikon Park, 6:40pm AEDT
Wednesday, February 28
Carlton vs Melbourne, Ikon Park, 6:40pm AEDT
Thursday, February 29
Sydney Swans vs Brisbane, Blacktown International Sportspark, 4:10pm AEDT
GWS Giants vs Gold Coast, Manuka Oval, 7:10pm AEDT
Friday, March 1
Geelong vs Essendon, GMBHA Stadium, 5:10pm AEDT
Port Adelaide vs Fremantle, Alberton Oval, 8:00pm AEDT
Saturday, March 2
Adelaide vs West Coast, Hisense Stadium, 3:10pm AEDT
Hawthorn vs Western Bulldogs, University of Tasmania Stadium, 6:10pm AEDT
Sunday, March 3
St Kilda vs North Melbourne, RSEA Park, 2:10pm AEDT
When is the opening round of the 2024 AFL season?
March 7-9
The AFL has changed its traditional start to the season from Richmond and Carlton facing off at the MCG, to a new ‘Round Zero‘ that will exclusively be played interstate.
‘Opening Round’ as the league is calling it, will see just the four games played, all of which are outside of Victoria, with two games in New South Wales and two in Queensland.
The Sydney Swans will host the first match of the season against Melbourne at the Sydney Cricket Ground on March 7.
However, don’t worry Victorians, Richmond vs Carlton will tip off Round One like usual the following weekend at an expected packed MCG.