Carlton-Richmond clash set to lose Thursday night slot in 2027
A Saturday or Sunday afternoon match is looming as the AFL reshapes Round 1 and drops Opening Round.
Carlton and Richmond are expected to play their opening match of the 2027 AFL season on a weekend afternoon rather than in their customary Thursday night slot. Saturday and Sunday afternoon are the likely options.
The change would remove the game from prime time, not simply replace it as the first Round 1 match. The clubs retained that opening Round 1 position during all three seasons of the separate Opening Round.
The 2027 season will start two weeks later than the 2026 campaign, with Opening Round scrapped. The MCG will be occupied by Australia’s 150th anniversary Test against England from 11–15 March, and Sydney has emerged as a possible host for the first AFL game.
Richmond recorded just three wins in 2026 and is rebuilding, while Carlton hopes to return to finals after its turnaround under Josh Fraser.
The clubs have frequently shared the season-opening fixture since 2008, though there have been interruptions. Melbourne and the Bulldogs played a grand final rematch to begin the 2022 season before Carlton and Richmond resumed the role in 2023.
