Eight primetime games for Geelong

Geelong has cemented its status as a primetime heavyweight, earning eight Thursday and Friday night games in the first 15 rounds of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership season.

The full fixture for the opening 16 rounds was revealed last week, with the Cats among the top three clubs dominating marquee timeslots. Only Hawthorn and Adelaide match Geelong’s primetime exposure, underlining the AFL’s confidence in the Cats’ drawing power.

Geelong will feature in four Thursday night and four Friday night matches, giving fans plenty of big-stage football to look forward to.

One of the headline fixtures will see the Cats host Fremantle in a twilight clash at GMHBA Stadium in Round One. The blockbuster calendar also includes Friday night showdowns with the Western Bulldogs and Carlton, and a highly anticipated Thursday night grand final rematch against Brisbane at the Gabba.

The 2026 fixture also introduces several Friday night double-headers and maintains Sunday night games as a regular feature, with seven scheduled across the first 16 rounds.

AFL head of strategy and scheduling Josh Bowler said the fixture was designed to build momentum and reflect fan feedback.

“This fixture aims to build momentum throughout the year and gives fans consistency to help strengthen rituals and traditions at games with family and friends,” Mr Bowler said.

The AFL has also prioritised taking games to more locations, with fixtures returning to Bunbury, Alice Springs, Canberra and Tasmania.

Geelong fans can mark Easter Monday on their calendars, with the Cats facing old rivals Hawthorn at the MCG to close out the long weekend.

With a stacked schedule and key matches under the lights, Geelong’s 2026 campaign is primed for high visibility and high drama.

Geelong Cats 2026 Fixture – GMHBA Games in bold

• Opening Round – Fri Mar 6 – Gold Coast Suns v Geelong Cats, People First Stadium (8.05pm)
• Round 1 – Sat Mar 14 – Geelong Cats v Fremantle, GMHBA Stadium (4.15pm)
• Round 3 – Thu Mar 26 – Geelong Cats v Adelaide Crows, GMHBA Stadium (7.30pm)
• Round 4 – Mon Apr 6 – Hawthorn v Geelong Cats, MCG (3.15pm)
• Round 5 – Sun Apr 12 – Geelong Cats v West Coast Eagles, Norwood Oval (12.30pm)
• Round 6 – Fri Apr 17 – Geelong Cats v Western Bulldogs, GMHBA Stadium (7.20pm)
• Round 7 – Sat Apr 25 – Port Adelaide v Geelong Cats, Adelaide Oval (6.35pm)
• Round 8 – Sat May 2 – Geelong Cats v North Melbourne, GMHBA Stadium (4.35pm)
• Round 9 – Sat May 9 – Geelong Cats v Collingwood, MCG (7.35pm)
• Round 10 – Thu May 14 – Brisbane Lions v Geelong Cats, The Gabba (7.30pm)
• Round 11 – Sat May 23 – Geelong Cats v Sydney Swans, GMHBA Stadium (4.15pm)
• Round 12 – Fri May 29 – Carlton v Geelong Cats, MCG (7.40pm)
• Round 13 – Thu Jun 4 – Adelaide Crows v Geelong Cats, Adelaide Oval (7.30pm)
• Round 14 – Fri Jun 12 – Geelong Cats v Gold Coast Suns, GMHBA Stadium (7.40pm)
• Round 15 – Thu Jun 18 – Fremantle v Geelong Cats, Optus Stadium (7.30pm)
• Round 17 – TBC – Geelong Cats v Brisbane Lions, GMHBA Stadium
• Round 18 – TBC – GWS Giants v Geelong Cats, ENGIE Stadium
• Round 19 – TBC – Geelong Cats v St Kilda, GMHBA Stadium
• Round 20 – TBC – Melbourne v Geelong Cats, MCG
• Round 21 – TBC – Collingwood v Geelong Cats, MCG
• Round 22 – TBC – Geelong Cats v Essendon, GMHBA Stadium
• Round 23 – TBC – North Melbourne v Geelong Cats, Marvel Stadium
• Round 24 – TBC – Geelong Cats v Richmond, GMHBA Stadium