AFL scraps controversial three-season 'Opening Round' experiment ahead of 2027
- Posted Wed 2 Sep 2026 at 5:27pmWed 2 Sep 2026 at 5:27pmAFL boss Andrew Dillon (pictured) has backtracked on his previous comments by scrapping Opening Round.
- (Getty Images: Quinn Rooney)In short: The 2027 AFL season will begin with all 18 teams in action in a traditional nine-game first week.
- AFL boss Andrew Dillon confirmed the end of the three-season "Opening Round" experiment designed to grow the game in Queensland and New South Wales.
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- Posted Wed 2 Sep 2026 at 5:27pmWed 2 Sep 2026 at 5:27pmAFL boss Andrew Dillon (pictured) has backtracked on his previous comments by scrapping Opening Round.
- (Getty Images: Quinn Rooney)In short: The 2027 AFL season will begin with all 18 teams in action in a traditional nine-game first week.
- AFL boss Andrew Dillon confirmed the end of the three-season "Opening Round" experiment designed to grow the game in Queensland and New South Wales.
Sources: ABC Australia