Opening Round fixture: Charlie Curnow’s Swans to face Blues in AFL season opener, Brisbane host Western Bulldogs

New Sydney superstar Charlie Curnow will square off against his former side Carlton in the first match of the 2026 AFL season.

7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary has revealed the five matches that will take place in the Opening Round.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Details of AFL’s Opening Round revealed.

The Swans and Blues will kick off the new season on Thursday, March 5 in an SCG blockbuster that will see Curnow take on his former teammates for the first time.

Curnow secured a move to the Swans in the final hour before the trade deadline last month, while experienced Swans Will Hayward and Ollie Florent ended up at the Blues.

It sets the scene for an explosive season opener, which will be live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport.

It gives Carlton a seven-day break into the traditional Round 1 blockbuster against Richmond the following Thursday night.

Next year’s Opening Round will be expanded to five matches, with Collingwood and St Kilda doing battle in a Sunday night blockbuster.

Pending fitness, it will be the first time fans see star recruits Tom De Koning, Sam Flanders, Jack Silvagni and Liam Ryan run out in the red, white and black.

The Magpies had previously requested not to travel in the Opening Round after doing so the past two seasons, while the new-look Saints get to host the blockbuster clash on Labor Day eve.

The March 8 game will also be the earliest the MCG has hosted an AFL match since 2000 when the season was brought forward due to the Sydney Olympics.

The other three matches of Opening Round will be held in the northern states with times and days still to be confirmed.

Premiers Brisbane will unfurl their flag ahead of home clash against the Western Bulldogs, which could also see new Lions Sam Draper and Oscar Allen make their club debuts.

GWS and Hawthorn will do battle in a rematch of this year’s thrilling elimination final. It will also mark Clayron Oliver’s first game in orange after departing Melbourne in the trade period.

The final clash will see Gold Coast and superstar recruit Christian Petracca host Geelong in another blockbuster tussle.

Opening Round - March 5-8

Sydney v Carlton at the SCG

GWS Giants v Hawthorn at Engie Stadium

Gold Coast v Geelong at People First Stadium

Brisbane v Western Bulldogs at the Gabba

St Kilda v Collingwood at the MCG