AFLW launches season fixture list, with Carlton-Collingwood and West Coast-Gold Coast on opening night

The AFL Players' Association says it is disappointed to see there will be no double-headers featuring men's and women's games in 2025.

The AFL Women's fixture was released on Friday, with the traditional Carlton-Collingwood clash kicking off the season, while the Eagles and Suns will also play out west on Thursday, August 14.

That means the opening rounds of the AFLW overlap with the men's home-and-away season for the first time, coinciding with the final two rounds of the men's competition plus four weeks of finals.

The AFLPA said it had put to the league player feedback calling for a number of things, including double-headers between the men and women and more W games at top-tier venues.

"Unfortunately, neither of these will be delivered again this season," a statement from interim chief executive Ben Smith read.

"Now is the time for greater ambition in the game and we will continue to work with the industry to evolve these opportunities."

There are no AFLW home-and-away games at the the MCG, SCG, Docklands, Adelaide Oval, Perth Stadium or the Gabba, with Geelong's Kardinia Park the only shared home ground across men's and women's teams.

Former AFLW All Australian says 2025 season opener honours tradition Photo shows GettyImages-1736580251 (1) The AFLW is returning to its roots by scheduling a Carlton-Collingwood season opener, prompting mixed reactions from fans and experts in the women's game.

In addition to the opening-day games on either side of the country, rivals Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs will do battle for the Hampson-Hardeman Cup, and GWS host Essendon in the first-ever meeting between the sides later in round one.

Brisbane will take on North Melbourne in round five, in their first encounter since the Kangaroos' breakthrough grand-final triumph under Darren Crocker last year.

AFLW fixtures boss Josh Bowler said the league was looking to celebrate iconic moments, grow rivalries and create traditions with this season's fixture.

"It is important to recognise the moments and match-ups in the game that have helped shape the league so far, while also nurturing the emerging rivalries and making it easy and accessible for fans to attend," Bowler said.

Geelong's Kardinia Park is the only major AFL venue where AFLW matches will be played in 2025. None have been scheduled at premier venues in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide.

Carlton will face Collingwood on opening night for the AFLW on August 14. (Getty Images: Quinn Rooney)

Unpopular mid-week fixtures have been dropped in 2025, except for Thursday night features in rounds one, seven and eight, with the latter two falling either side of the AFL grand final.

The fixture change has been partially based on last season's ladder, divided into three groups of six, and is weighted towards ensuring more match-ups within each group.

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AFLW's two major themed rounds will both be played over two weeks; Indigenous Round in rounds three and four and Pride Round across rounds nine and 10.

Intrastate rivalries are littered throughout the fixture, starting in round five when Fremantle host West Coast at the port.

Sydney and GWS clash in round six, Gold Coast take on Brisbane in round eight and Adelaide do battle with Port Adelaide in round 11.

The schedule for the final round of the home-and-away season has been left floating, to be confirmed closer to the date.

AFLW grand final hosting rights will fall to the highest-ranked preliminary final winner.

AAP

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