THE LONG-awaited release of the 2025 AFL Women’s season fixture ended today with the extended 12-round season confirmed for eager fans. After it was announced the opening match of the season would be Carlton against Collingwood at Ikon Park on August 14, the remainder of the season was confirmed earlier today.

>> SCROLL FOR ROUND 1 MATCHES

Fans will be relieved to see the scrapping of mid-week fixtures from the league, as the 18 clubs play an additional home and away season match – up from 11 last season – which means teams only miss out on playing five other sides throughout the regular season. Similar to the men’s fixture, there will still be a handful of Thursday evening matches.

Prior to the season fixture, four matchups had never occurred, all of which were locked in this season – GWS vs Essendon, Port Adelaide vs Melbourne, Melbourne vs Sydney and Hawthorn vs North Melbourne – meaning every side will have some sort of history against each opponent by year’s end.

To further enhance fixture fairness given the sides do not play every side once, the clubs were broken into three brackets based on last season’s ladder – top six, middle six and bottom six – to ensure those in each bracket play against the opponents who finished in a similar position in 2024.

WHO DOESN’T PLAY WHO?

Carlton and Collingwood will not be the only sides facing off on opening night, with the west and east coast’s colliding in Perth, as West Coast hosts Gold Coast in new Suns coach Rhyce Shaw‘s first game at Sullivan Logistics Stadium from 7:15pm local time (9:15pm AEST). Sydney and Richmond also lock horns prior to the weekend with a standalone Friday night match at North Sydney Oval.

Six of the eight states and territories will host matches across the first round of the AFL Women’s season, giving plenty of fans a chance to get in on the action. Three Victorian sides in Collingwood, Geelong and Hawthorn will largely remain at home throughout the season with last year’s wooden spooners not departing Victoria until Round 8, and then just once more in Round 11.

IKON Park (12 matches) and Henson Park (eight) lead the most hosted games for the year, with shows an even spread across venues for the season. Reigning premiers North Melbourne head down the highway to take on Geelong at GMHBA Stadium in Round 1, with the Roos heading up to Brighton Homes Arena for a grand final rematch against the Lions in Round 5.

The last round of the regular season – which will take place from October 31 to November 2 – is yet to lock in timeslots similar to the men’s season. Round 12 features matches in Coffs Harbour, Frankston and Norwood among other venues.

ROUND 1 FIXTURE:

Thursday, Aug 14
Carlton v Collingwood at IKON Park, 7:15pm AEST (Seven)
West Coast v Gold Coast at Sullivan Logistics Stadium, 7:15pm AWST (Seven)

Friday, Aug 15
Sydney v Richmond at North Sydney Oval, 6:15pm AEST (FOX)

Saturday, Aug 16
Geelong v North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium, 3:35pm AEST (FOX) 
Greater Western Sydney v Essendon at Corroboree Group Manuka Oval, 5:35pm AEST (FOX) 
Western Bulldogs v Melbourne at Mission Whitten Oval, 7:35pm AEST (Seven) 

Sunday, Aug 17
Brisbane Lions v Hawthorn at Brighton Homes Arena, 12:40pm AEST (Seven)
St Kilda v Adelaide at RSEA Park, 2:10pm AEST (FOX)
Port Adelaide v Fremantle at Alberton Oval 3:40pm ACST (FOX)

>> FIXTURE: 2025 AFL Women’s full fixture