A total of 17 sporting grounds across Australia will host AFL matches in 2026 after the league announced its fixture for next season on Thursday, November 11.

All states and territories, which include some regional venues, will all get their opportunity to host matches and showcase their facilities in 2026. 

One of the key features of the 2026 fixture is the return of the Gather Round in South Australia from April 9-12, with Adelaide Oval, Norwood Oval (pictured above) and Barossa Park in Lyndoch to host matches in what will be an exciting and hectic weekend for the grounds crew at those facilities.  

The Opening Round will run between March 5-8 with five matches to be played including the season opener between Sydney and Carlton at the SCG on the Thursday night. Richmond and Carlton will then host the traditional round one blockbuster at the MCG (pictured right) on Thursday March 12. 

Hands Oval in Bunbury, almost 200 kilometers south of Perth, will once again host a match on June 6 when North Melbourne hosts Fremantle, Manuka Oval in Canberra hosts three matches, while Northern Territory grounds TIO Stadium in Darwin and Traeger Park in Alice Springs feature three times. 

Mars Stadium in Ballarat will not host any matches in 2026 due to ongoing redevelopment works at the stadium. continued...

AFL football will return to Tasmania for five matches in 2026, with UTAS Stadium in Launceston hosting four and Ninja Stadium in Hobart the other. The MCG will host a minimum of 47 fixtures in 2026 (including the AFL Grand Final on September 26).

The AFL finals series will also have a massive shake-up in 2026, with the introduction of a 'Wildcard Finals Round' instead of a pre-finals bye, meaning teams finishing seventh to 10th will play off for the last two spots in finals with venues to be determined at the conclusion of the home-and-away season. 

Full list of 2026 AFL Venues: 

NSW

SCG (pictured); Engie Stadium

QLD

Gabba; People First Stadium

VIC

MCG; Marvel Stadium; GMHBA Stadium

SA

Adelaide Oval; Norwood Oval; Barossa Park

WA

Optus Stadium; Hands Oval

TAS

UTAS Stadium; Ninja Stadium

ACT

Manuka Oval

NT

Tio Stadium; Traeger Park

CLICK HERE for the full 2026 AFL Fixture