How Good is Opening Round?

By Cooper Powell

In November 2023, the AFL introduced Opening Round, a 4-game, all-interstate weekend to launch season 2024. It was the first time no Victorian games would be played in the first week. In season 2025, amidst a chorus of descent, the AFL have stuck with the format. Here’s why it’s a winner.

Opening Round has been widely considered a controversial decision by the AFL. The majority of the footy world appears to be against it heading into the new season. But was it really that bad?

Brodie Grundy (right) celebrating his first win as a Swan in 2024.

The AFL’s pitch to the public surrounded the AFL’s ambition for growth in New South Wales and Queensland, driving more fans and members in these states to games. Despite the criticism, TV audience numbers were high across the weekend in 2024.

Thursday night's game had a viewership of 2.3 million nationally, while Friday night and Saturday night’s games hit 1.9 and 1.7 million and was the number one rated program.

“The 2024 season has gotten off to an exceptional start, with excellent TV ratings, packed out stadiums and unforgettable moments and stories – and we haven’t even made it to round one yet,” said Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport, Lewis Martin.  

“Australians love their footy and we love bringing it to them. It’s going to be a great year for AFL, the fans and Seven.”

Opening Round in 2024 was a success outside of Victoria with healthy crowd numbers, as well as inside Victoria, with outstanding TV numbers. In 2024 all hosting teams had a record amount of membership numbers, further growing the support of AFL in the two key states where the NRL dominates.

The 2025 season sees the same format, with Melbourne and Richmond, who both had disappointing 2024 campaigns replaced with the new and improved Hawthorn Hawks and Essendon Bombers.

Despite two of the four games being postponed as Cyclone Alfred threatened to wreak havoc on Brisbane and the Gold Coast, the AFL has doubled down on its commitment to Opening Round, labelling it another success due to membership spikes.

Harry Perryman of Collingwood in opening round 2025

“It's been something we are really proud of last year, and this year it is fair to say that it's been interrupted for reasons beyond all of our control,” Laura Kane told 7news reporter Mitch Cleary.

“It's been something that's worked from a growth perspective.”

Although the other states felt excluded from the Opening Round excitement, the first two games of round 1 at the MCG did pull big crowds the following week last year, with a combined 150,000 plus in attendance. The first two nights of football for season 2025 are expecting to be even bigger than that. The AFL is hoping for 170,000 footy fans at the G in the first two nights of round 1 this season.

With 2026 all but confirmed, and with a one-off test match between Australia and England scheduled for 11 ­– 15 March, 2027 at the MCG, we can rule out any games at the MCG being played before that. Don't expect to see Opening Round go anywhere anytime soon.