AFL Pre-season Tips

AFL Pre-season Schedule, Tips and Predictions

Ben Harris
23 February 2025

2026 AFL AAMI Community Series

The AFL’s official pre-season competition, the AAMI Community Series, is back for 2026, featuring nine matches played across six days in both metropolitan and regional locations.

Kicking off in Geelong, the series will see clubs fine-tune their preparations for the upcoming season under full premiership rules–four 20-minute quarters plus time on–though teams will have unlimited interchanges.

Each match will be broadcast live on Fox Footy, with coverage available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel.

Locations for the 2026 AAMI Community Series:

  • Victoria: Geelong, Melbourne, Ballarat
  • New South Wales: Canberra, Sydney
  • Queensland: Brisbane, Gold Coast
  • Western Australia: Bunbury, Mandurah
  • Tasmania: Launceston
  • South Australia: Adelaide

AFL Pre-Season Schedule

Match Simulations (Unofficial Pre-Season Games)

These club-arranged match simulations will take place before the official Community Series, with details announced by each club.

Saturday, Feb 15:

Monday, Feb 17:

  • West Coast vs Richmond @ Mineral Resources Park, Lathlain, WA
  • Geelong vs Hawthorn @ GMHBA Stadium, Geelong, VIC

Thursday, Feb 20:

Friday, Feb 21:

  • Sydney vs Greater Western Sydney @ Tramway Oval, Moore Park, NSW
  • Adelaide vs Port Adelaide @ Summit Sports Park, Mount Barker, SA

Saturday, Feb 22:

2026 AAMI Community Series Schedule

Geelong vs Essendon

  • Tuesday, Feb 25, 2026
  • 7:10 PM AEDT @ GMHBA Stadium, Geelong, VIC

Tip: Essendon Bombers

Richmond vs Collingwood

  • Wednesday, Feb 26, 2026
  • 7:10 PM AEDT @ Ikon Park, Carlton North, VIC

Tip: Collingwood Magpies

Hawthorn vs Western Bulldogs

  • Thursday, Feb 27, 2026
  • 5:20 PM AEDT @ UTAS Stadium, Launceston, TAS

Tip: Hawthorn Hawks

Brisbane vs Adelaide

  • Thursday, Feb 27, 2026
  • 8:10 PM AEDT (7:10 PM local) @ Brighton Homes Arena, Springfield Central ,QLD

Tip: Brisbane Lions

Greater Western Sydney vs Carlton

  • Friday, Feb 28, 2026
  • 5:20 PM AEDT @ Manuka Oval, Griffith, ACT

Tip: Cartlon Blues

Gold Coast vs Sydney

  • Friday, Feb 28, 2026
  • 8:10 PM AEDT (7:10 PM local) @ People First Stadium, Carrara, QLD

Tip: Gold Coast Suns

St Kilda vs Port Adelaide

  • Saturday, Mar 1, 2026
  • 3:10 PM AEDT @ RSEA Park, Moorabin, VIC

Tip: Port Adelaide Power

West Coast vs North Melbourne

  • Saturday, Mar 1, 2026
  • 6:10 PM AEDT (3:10 PM local) @ Hands Oval, Bunbury, WA

Tip: North Melbourne Kangaroos

Fremantle vs Melbourne

  • Sunday, Mar 2, 2026
  • 6:10 PM AEDT (3:10 PM local) @ Rushton Park, Mandurah, WA

Tip: Melbourne Demons

All matches will be broadcast live on Fox Footy and available for streaming on Kayo Sports and Foxtel.

Tickets available from February.
Members and kids go free (excluding Richmond vs Collingwood).

This pre-season series will be the final chance for clubs to prepare before Opening Round kicks off on March 6, followed by Round 1 from March 13-16.

Who’s your tip for the pre-season?

Author Ben Harris

Ben's been analysing footy betting markets for over a decade - breaking down team form, player stats, and where the bookies have got it wrong. He leads KRUZEY's weekly NFL and NRL tips and writes our betting app reviews, testing everything from multi-builders to odds competitiveness. A lifelong Essendon supporter (yes, he's used to disappointment), Ben combines statistical analysis with genuine footy obsession. He watches more game tape than is probably healthy. Connect on LinkedIn Email Contact

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