Footy is officially back for 2026! The wait for the new season ends this week as the AAMI Community Series kicks off on Wednesday, February 25. All 18 clubs will get one final competitive hit-out before the premiership season begins.
For punters and fans alike, this preseason window is a crucial time to see how the new recruits are settling in and which teams have put in the work over summer. It is the best chance to spot emerging value in the premiership and Brownlow markets before the odds start moving.
The matches are spread across regional and suburban grounds, from Ballarat to Mandurah, bringing elite footy back to the community. If you cannot make it to the ground, you can watch every single game live and on demand through Kayo Sports.
Check out the full schedule below to plan your week. We will be providing detailed AFL previews and betting tips for every match of the 2026 AFL season right here at Before You Bet.
2026 AFL Preseason Schedule
Wednesday, February 25
Carlton vs Geelong Cats Ikon Park, Melbourne 7:10 pm AEDT
Thursday, February 26
Sydney Swans vs GWS Giants Henson Park, Sydney 4:10 pm AEDT
Brisbane Lions vs Gold Coast Suns Brighton Homes Arena, Springfield 7:10 pm AEDT (6:10 pm local)
Friday, February 27
Melbourne vs Richmond Mars Stadium, Ballarat 4:10 pm AEDT
Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn Mission Whitten Oval, Melbourne 7:10 pm AEDT
Saturday, February 28
St Kilda vs Essendon Mars Stadium, Ballarat 3:10 pm AEDT
Fremantle vs Adelaide Crows Rushton Park, Mandurah 6:10 pm AEDT (3:10 pm local)
Sunday, March 1
North Melbourne vs Collingwood Mars Stadium, Ballarat 3:10 pm AEDT
West Coast Eagles vs Port Adelaide Mineral Resources Park, Perth 6:10 pm AEDT (3:10 pm local)
Daily Fantasy Sports on Draftstars
If you are looking to add some extra spice to the preseason, Draftstars is running daily fantasy tournaments for all the Community Series games. It starts with a massive $15,000 prize pool for the opening night clash between Carlton and Geelong this Wednesday. It is a great way to test out your player research and potentially land a big win before the regular season even starts.
