AFL's 2027 Fixture Faces Major Disruption Due to MCG Unavailability
The Australian Football League is grappling with a significant scheduling headache for the 2027 season, as the Melbourne Cricket Ground is set to be unavailable for the opening two weeks. This clash arises from Australia's sesquicentenary Test match against England, scheduled from March 11 to 15, 2027, which has already begun notifying successful ticket holders.
Potential Season Delay and Negotiations Underway
This conflict could force the AFL to push the entire season back by at least one week, with key stakeholders currently engaged in negotiations. Traditionally, cricket has held rights to the MCG through March, but the AFL has gradually taken over the month in recent years by adding new rounds like Opening Round and Gather Round to start the season earlier.
If the AFL maintains its current structure, the MCG would be unavailable for the Sunday night of Opening Round and Round 1, which typically hosts blockbuster games on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This poses a major challenge, as Round 1 is often the most-attended weekend of the season, and fans would likely be displeased if the MCG hosted no games.
Options Being Considered by the League
According to reports, the AFL is exploring several options to address this issue. These include:
- A later start to the season, which could push the grand final into October rather than the traditional last Saturday of September.
- Increased usage of Marvel Stadium to host more games during the affected period.
- An extended interstate opening to the year, with more matches held at venues outside Victoria.
While hosting more games at Marvel Stadium and interstate venues is an obvious solution, it may not fully satisfy fans accustomed to the MCG's central role in the season opener.
Historical Precedent and Modern Complications
A similar situation occurred in 2015 during the Cricket World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The final was held at the MCG on March 29, with the AFL season starting five days later on April 2. This later start pushed the grand final to the first weekend of October.
However, the landscape has changed since then. The AFL season now includes extra weeks due to additions like Opening Round, Gather Round, and the wildcard finals round, which replaced the pre-finals bye. This expansion complicates any schedule adjustments, as the league must balance tradition with modern demands.
The AFL traditionally releases the fixture for the following season in November, so decisions on this matter will need to be made well in advance to ensure a smooth rollout for 2027.
