Geelong is set to open its 2023 campaign with a number of Melbourne blockbusters following the release of the 2023 AFL Premiership Season fixture.

An epic clash against Collingwood in the opening round on Friday 17 March, will be followed by a Thursday night away game against Carlton at the MCG, before the Cats host the traditional Easter Monday match against the Hawks during school holidays in Round 4.

The Cats will play eight games in Melbourne in total, consisting of six at the MCG, including away matches against Richmond, Essendon, and Collingwood, and two at Marvel Stadium as away games against Western Bulldogs and St Kilda.

The Cats will unfurl the 2022 Premiership flag in Round 6 against Grand Final opponent the Swans, in the first match at GMHBA Stadium for the season.

Geelong will play nine home games at GMHBA Stadium, including matches against Sydney, Melbourne, Essendon and Western Bulldogs. The game against Melbourne shapes as a huge match between the last two premiers on a Thursday night in Round 15, which will be the Club’s Retro Round game.

With the Stage Five redevelopment at GMHBA Stadium due for completion mid year, the Club’s Geelong’s games have been back-ended to provide for as many games as possible to be played in front of the new capacity of 40,000.

The Club’s Round 9 Friday night away against Richmond at the MCG, will start at the earlier time of 7.20pm to cater for Cats fans travelling from Geelong with a second game also scheduled that night.

Of the timeslots that have been confirmed by the AFL so far (being those up to and including Round 15), there is a strong mix of slots including primetime Thursday, Friday and Saturday night matches as well as afternoon and twilight games, providing something for all Geelong members and fans.

The Club will be on the road six times, with two trips to Adelaide for Gather Round in Round 5 and against Port Adelaide in Round 14, as well as trips to play the Gold Coast in Round 3, Fremantle in Round 10, Sydney in Round 16 and Brisbane in Round 19.

Collingwood and Essendon are teams Geelong will play twice, along with Sydney, Fremantle, Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide.

Geelong’s bye scheduled for Round 13 over the King’s Birthday long weekend.

Highlights of the 2023 fixture (first 15 rounds)

·         9 home games at GMHBA Stadium, starting with a blockbuster match against Grand Final opponents Sydney in Round 6 on a Saturday night when the Club will unfurl the 2022 Premiership flag

·         6 games at MCG, with home games against Collingwood and Hawthorn in Rounds 1 and 4 and further matches against Carlton, Essendon, Richmond and Collingwood

·         7 prime time timeslots in the first 15 rounds; 3 Thursday nights, 2 Friday nights, 2 Saturday nights plus the traditional Easter Monday blockbuster – all being matches broadcast on the Seven Network (as well as Foxtel and Kayo)

·         School holiday games; Rounds 4-6 against Hawthorn, West Coast in Adelaide for Gather Round and Sydney at GMHBA Stadium, and Rounds 15-17 against Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium, the Swans in Sydney and North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium.

·         Gather Round for A Festival of Footy match up against West Coast during April School holidays in Round 5, the first of a double header at Adelaide Oval on Sunday with St Kilda vs Collingwood to follow. Geelong Cats members to have free entry to the double header event.

Geelong CEO Steve Hocking said there is a lot to be excited about the 2023 fixture.

“We are thrilled to start the season with a bang, our home fixture starts in a big way with two games the MCG in Round 1 and Round 4 before we take on the Swans, our Grand Final opponents, in a Round 6 Saturday night blockbuster where we will unfurl the Premiership flag in what will be the first of nine home games at GMHBA Stadium.

“The start of the season is a great result for our Melbourne-based members and fans in particular, with five big MCG clashes in the first nine rounds and eight matches in Melbourne in total.

“We can’t wait to get back to GMHBA Stadium in Round 6 against the Swans and are excited about the overall mix of opponents in our nine home games at Geelong, including a huge Thursday night clash against Melbourne in Round 15 and big games against other high quality opposition such as Essendon, Fremantle, Port Adelaide and Western Bulldogs.

“In what the AFL has released so far, we have a strong mix of days and timeslots providing something for all our fans and members, as well as having seven games showcased on prime time in the first 15 rounds plus our Easter Monday clash.

“We understand the AFL will provide a minimum six weeks’ notice when confirming the timeslots for matches from Round 16 onwards and we look forward to more strong timeslots for our members and fans.”

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Geelong's 2023 AFL Fixture