The Australian Football League has unveiled its 2026 season fixture, with Hawthorn emerging as the big winners in primetime scheduling while reigning back-to-back premiers Brisbane face what experts are calling a 'disrespectful' allocation of premium slots.
Hollywood Hawks Take Centre Stage
Hawthorn are set to dominate evening television screens throughout the first half of the 2026 season, with the 'Hollywood Hawks' scheduled for eight Thursday or Friday night appearances by the conclusion of Round 15. This places them among the most featured clubs in prime viewing positions.
They share this spotlight with Adelaide and Geelong, who also secured eight games in these coveted timeslots. The Western Bulldogs and Carlton, despite both missing finals in the previous season, will appear in seven Thursday or Friday night matches during the same period.
Premiers Receive Primetime Snub
In a surprising development that has drawn criticism from analysts and fans alike, the Brisbane Lions - who claimed consecutive premierships - have been allocated only three primetime appearances in the first 15 rounds.
Channel 7 AFL expert Kane Cornes didn't hold back in his assessment of the scheduling decision. "Nine teams having more games than the Brisbane on Thursday and Friday Nights in the first 15 rounds is a bit disrespectful to the back-to-back champs," Cornes stated, despite acknowledging the Lions would participate in Gather Round in the Barossa Valley.
The treatment seems particularly puzzling given the Lions ranked second for games viewed during the previous season, raising questions about the AFL's fixture strategy.
Fixture Ladder Reveals Clear Hierarchy
The allocation of primetime games establishes a clear pecking order among AFL clubs:
- 8 games: Hawthorn, Adelaide, Geelong
- 7 games: Western Bulldogs, Carlton
- 6 games: Collingwood, Fremantle
- 5 games: Sydney
- 3 games: Brisbane Lions
- 2 games: Essendon
- 0 games: West Coast Eagles
Essendon's limited two-game primetime allocation comes after what the fixture description termed a 'nightmare 2025' season, while cellar-dwellers West Coast failed to secure a single Thursday or Friday night fixture.
Friday Night Double-Headers Expand
The AFL is significantly expanding its experiment with Friday night double-headers, scheduling six Fridays featuring back-to-back games throughout the 2026 season.
The experiment kicks off in Round 4 on Good Friday with North Melbourne taking on Carlton, followed immediately by Adelaide versus Fremantle. From Rounds 6 through 11, five additional Friday night double-headers will take place, featuring highlight matches including the Sydney derby between the Swans and Giants in Round 6 and the Adelaide Showdown between the Crows and Power in Round 8.
The fixture also confirms the opening round will begin on Thursday, March 5, 2026, with Sydney Swans hosting Carlton at the SCG, while Gather Round will be held in the Barossa Valley in Round 5.
As fans digest the full 24-round schedule, the conversation continues around whether the AFL has appropriately rewarded recent on-field success or prioritized other factors in crafting its 2026 primetime lineup.
