The Fremantle Dockers face another disappointment in the AFL's scheduling plans, with confirmation emerging that the club will not host the coveted 2026 season opener at Perth Stadium. This decision comes despite a newly signed agreement between the West Australian government and the AFL, extending the state's flagship venue as a premier football location.
Perth Stadium Deal Fails to Secure Opening Match
The McGowan government recently announced a significant five-year extension of its partnership with the Australian Football League, ensuring that Perth Stadium remains a host for AFL content until at least 2030. This deal, valued at millions, was celebrated as a major win for local sports fans. However, it has not translated into securing the league's most prestigious regular-season fixture for Western Australia's teams.
Industry insiders and club officials have revealed that the 2026 season will once again kick off with a marquee match in a different state. This continues a long-standing tradition of the AFL scheduling its opening round blockbuster in Victoria, Queensland, or New South Wales, leaving Western Australian teams and their massive fanbase waiting.
The Financial and Fan Impact of the Decision
Missing out on the season opener represents more than just a scheduling snub. It carries substantial financial implications for the host club and the local economy. A home season opener at the 60,000-seat Perth Stadium guarantees a sell-out crowd, generating significant revenue from tickets, merchandise, and hospitality.
For the loyal Fremantle Dockers membership base, which consistently numbers in the tens of thousands, this decision is another letdown. It denies them the opportunity to launch the new AFL campaign on their home turf in a prime-time, nationally televised event that sets the tone for the entire season.
The Western Derby, the fierce local rivalry between Fremantle and the West Coast Eagles, remains the biggest football event in the state. Yet, the inability to secure a season-opening match highlights an ongoing perception that WA football plays second fiddle to the eastern states in the AFL's strategic planning.
What's Next for WA in the AFL Landscape?
While the 2026 opener is off the table, the new stadium deal does secure other high-value content for Perth, including finals matches and potential special event games. The agreement solidifies Perth Stadium's status as a world-class venue capable of hosting the biggest occasions in Australian sport.
Both the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles will continue to push the AFL for a more equitable fixture that recognizes the passion and size of the WA football market. The argument remains that a season opener in Perth, with its unique time zone allowing for a standalone prime-time broadcast on the east coast, offers a compelling commercial and ratings proposition for the league.
For now, Fremantle fans must content themselves with the knowledge that their team will feature heavily in the 2026 fixture, just not in the opening match. The quest to bring an AFL season opener to Western Australia for the first time continues, with hopes now turning to the 2027 season and beyond.
