The countdown to the 2025 AFL season is on and in just 114 days time, Geelong will kick off the 2025 season with an Opening Round clash against Brisbane.
In what will be a rematch of the thrilling 2024 Preliminary Final, the AFL today confirmed the Cats will take on the Lions in a Thursday night blockbuster at 6.50pm AEST at The Gabba.
It will be the first time the Cats have featured in the AFL’s Opening Round concept, following its inaugural season in 2024, with the Geelong heading north alongside Collingwood, Hawthorn and Essendon to kickstart the season in Queensland and New South Wales.
Geelong have won six of their past nine season opening matches, recently defeating St Kilda by eight points in Round One last year at GMHBA Stadium. The most recent trip to the Gabba was also successful, with the Cats downing the Lions by 26 points in Round Six last year.
The remaining Opening Round fixtures will see the Sydney Swans and Hawthorn do battle at the SCG on Friday night, March 7, before the Gold Coast SUNS play Essendon on Saturday March 8 at People First Stadium. The Round will conclude with a Sunday clash between the GWS GIANTS and Collingwood at Engie Stadium on March 9.
Round One will then begin the following week with the traditional Richmond vs Carlton fixture at the MCG on Thursday March 13 and consist of a full round of nine matches.
All 18 teams in the competition will have played the same number of matches by the end of Round Four / the beginning of Gather Round in Round Five.
AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon said that the success of 'Opening Round' earlier this year presented a unique opportunity to feature four matches across NSW and Queensland, where footy continues to grow in popularity.
“After a successful start to the 2024 season, we look forward to continuing the momentum in 2025 before we head into a blockbuster round of matches in Round One," Dillon said.
“Footy is growing exponentially in New South Wales and Queensland - all four Clubs saw more than 10 per cent growth in membership this past season and we have seen community participation numbers grow a combined 17 per cent this year.
“We were fortunate to be in a position where we were able to have access to our major venues in Queensland and New South Wales a weekend earlier than usual which gave us a unique opportunity to create Opening Round and we are thrilled these venues are available to us again for next year.
“Given this Opening Round weekend also falls on the Labour Day long weekend in Victoria, it presents a terrific opportunity for fans to travel north to support their club and enjoy an extended interstate break.
“We continue to strive to have footy in every home around the country, whether that be playing, coaching, umpiring, supporting or volunteering and starting the season across Queensland and NSW will only amplify this desire.
“I would like to thank our venues and the clubs for supporting our Opening Round vision.”
The full 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season fixture will be released later this week.
Queensland based Cats fans can purchase an Interstate Membership which allows fans the chance to attend one Geelong Cats game outside of Victoria in 2025, along with other perks such as priority access to Finals tickets.
Supporters that cannot travel interstate can still cheer on their team from home in 2025 with a ‘Digital Plus’ membership, providing fans 12 months of Kayo to watch the Cats no matter where they play at a discounted price.
All 2025 memberships can be found here.
