Traditional powerhouses Carlton and Essendon, both struggling near the bottom of the AFL ladder, have been completely omitted from prime-time free-to-air television slots for the second half of the 2026 season. The league released the fixture details for rounds 16 through 22, and the embattled Bombers (second last) and Blues (third last) will not feature in any Thursday or Friday night matches during this period.
Other Victorian Clubs Affected
Richmond is another major Victorian club that has been pulled from the coveted prime-time spotlight. Gold Coast and Port Adelaide have also missed out on these high-profile slots.
Prime-Time Leaders
Sydney and Geelong are the standout performers, each securing four prime-time games. Adelaide, reigning premiers Brisbane, Collingwood, Fremantle, and the injury-hit Western Bulldogs follow closely with three apiece. Hawthorn, North Melbourne, and West Coast each have two prime-time appearances, including a highly anticipated Western Derby between Fremantle and West Coast in Round 20.
North Melbourne's Return to Friday Night
For the first time since 2019, North Melbourne will play a Friday night game in Victoria, taking on Collingwood in Round 18. Their other prime-time fixture is a Thursday night clash against the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium in Round 22.
Other Notable Fixtures
Melbourne, despite an exciting brand of football, has only one prime-time slot—a Round 20 match against Geelong. St Kilda and Greater Western Sydney each have one prime-time game as well.
Complete Prime-Time Breakdown (Rounds 16-22)
- 4 games: Sydney, Geelong
- 3 games: Adelaide, Brisbane, Collingwood, Fremantle, Western Bulldogs
- 2 games: Hawthorn, North Melbourne, West Coast
- 1 game: Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne, St Kilda
- 0 games: Carlton, Essendon, Gold Coast, Port Adelaide, Richmond
Full Fixture Details (Rounds 16-22, times AEST)
Round 16
- Thursday Jun 25: Brisbane v Sydney, Gabba, 7:30pm
- Friday Jun 26: Hawthorn v GWS, MCG, 7:40pm
- Saturday Jun 27: Carlton v West Coast, Marvel Stadium, 1:15pm; Collingwood v Richmond, MCG, 4:15pm; Port Adelaide v Adelaide, Adelaide Oval, 7:35pm
- Sunday Jun 28: North Melbourne v Essendon, Marvel Stadium, 3:15pm; Fremantle v Gold Coast, Optus Stadium, 5:10pm
Round 17
- Thursday Jul 2: Geelong v Brisbane, GMHBA Stadium, 7:30pm
- Friday Jul 3: Sydney v Western Bulldogs, SCG, 7:40pm; West Coast v Adelaide, Optus Stadium, 8:10pm
- Saturday Jul 4: Hawthorn v Melbourne, UTAS Stadium, 1:15pm; GWS v Fremantle, Manuka Oval, 1:35pm; Gold Coast v Collingwood, People First Stadium, 4:15pm; Richmond v Carlton, MCG, 7:35pm
- Sunday Jul 5: Essendon v St Kilda, Marvel Stadium, 3:15pm; Port Adelaide v North Melbourne, Adelaide Oval, 4:40pm
Round 18
- Thursday Jul 9: Fremantle v Sydney, Optus Stadium, 8:10pm
- Friday Jul 10: Collingwood v North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium, 7:40pm
- Saturday Jul 11: St Kilda v Port Adelaide, Marvel Stadium, 1:15pm; GWS v Geelong, Engie Stadium, 4:15pm; Carlton v Hawthorn, MCG, 7:35pm; Adelaide v Gold Coast, Adelaide Oval, 8:10pm
- Sunday Jul 12: Western Bulldogs v West Coast, Marvel Stadium, 1:10pm; Melbourne v Richmond, MCG, 3:15pm; Brisbane v Essendon, Gabba, 4:40pm
Round 19
- Thursday Jul 16: Geelong v St Kilda, GMHBA Stadium, 7:30pm
- Friday Jul 17: Sydney v Adelaide, SCG, 7:40pm
- Saturday Jul 18: Port Adelaide v Fremantle, Adelaide Oval, 1:15pm; North Melbourne v Melbourne, Marvel Stadium, 4:15pm; Collingwood v Carlton, MCG, 7:35pm; West Coast v Brisbane, Optus Stadium, 8:10pm
- Sunday Jul 19: Richmond v Hawthorn, MCG, 1:10pm; Gold Coast v Western Bulldogs, People First Stadium, 3:15pm; Essendon v GWS, Marvel Stadium, 4:40pm
Round 20
- Thursday Jul 23: Adelaide v Collingwood, Adelaide Oval, 7:30pm
- Friday Jul 24: Melbourne v Geelong, MCG, 7:40pm; Fremantle v West Coast, Optus Stadium, 8:10pm
- Saturday Jul 25: Carlton v Gold Coast, Marvel Stadium, 1:05pm; Hawthorn v Essendon, MCG, 4:15pm; GWS v Sydney, Engie Stadium, 4:35pm; Western Bulldogs v Richmond, Marvel Stadium, 7:40pm
- Sunday Jul 26: Brisbane v Port Adelaide, Gabba, 1:10pm; North Melbourne v St Kilda, Marvel Stadium, 3:15pm
Round 21
- Thursday Jul 30: Collingwood v Geelong, MCG, 7:30pm
- Friday Jul 31: Fremantle v Western Bulldogs, Optus Stadium, 8:10pm
- Saturday Aug 1: St Kilda v Sydney, Marvel Stadium, 1:05pm; Hawthorn v North Melbourne, UTAS Stadium, 1:35pm; Port Adelaide v GWS, Adelaide Oval, 6:35pm; Carlton v Brisbane, Marvel Stadium, 7:40pm
- Sunday Aug 2: Richmond v West Coast, MCG, 1:10pm; Gold Coast v Melbourne, People First Stadium, 3:15pm; Essendon v Adelaide, Marvel Stadium, 4:40pm
Round 22
- Thursday Aug 6: Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium, 7:30pm
- Friday Aug 7: Brisbane v Hawthorn, Gabba, 7:40pm
- Saturday Aug 8: Melbourne v Fremantle, MCG, 1:15pm; Sydney v Port Adelaide, SCG, 4:15pm; Geelong v Essendon, GMHBA Stadium, 4:35pm; Adelaide v Richmond, Adelaide Oval, 7:35pm
- Sunday Aug 9: GWS v Gold Coast, Manuka Oval, 1:10pm; West Coast v Collingwood, Optus Stadium, 4:10pm; St Kilda v Carlton, Marvel Stadium, 7:20pm
