Overview
- Mars Stadium will stage Melbourne v Richmond on February 27, St Kilda v Essendon on February 28, and North Melbourne v Collingwood on March 1.
- The nine-match Community Series runs from February 25 to March 1 with all 18 clubs playing at regional and suburban venues.
- Ongoing works mean the Ballarat venue is not ready for 2026 home-and-away games, with the Western Bulldogs’ two scheduled premiership matches shifted to Marvel Stadium.
- Tickets go on sale in February with free general admission for competing club members, AFL members and children, and every game will be broadcast on Foxtel and Kayo.
- Matches will feature four 20‑minute quarters plus time on, 30‑player squads and no interchange cap, and local MPs have touted the Ballarat dates as an economic boost.