The seventh season of the AFLW is due to begin on Thursday, August 25, with traditional rivals Carlton and Collingwood up against each other at Ikon Park.
The first round of the season will see the competition’s four new clubs play their first AFLW games on 27 August, with the AFLW expanding to 18 teams for the first time.
The season will have 10 rounds of regular competition, with an expanded four weeks of finals, and clubs including Hawthorn, Port Adelaide, Sydney Swans, and Essendon will be entering the competition.
Friday night of the first round will feature a grand final rematch, with Adelaide taking on Melbourne at Norwood Oval.
Nicole Livingstone, AFL General Manager Women’s Football, said the expanded competition will be a showcase of Australia’s best female talent.
“Season Seven is shaping up to be a thrilling fourteen weeks of elite football,” Livingston said.
“We have 540 athletes ready to do battle, with new and old rivalries ignited, the next generation of talent ready to shine, and our game’s superstars preparing for our biggest season yet.
“History will be made with Hawthorn, Sydney Swans, Port Adelaide, and Essendon entering the competition – and we’re challenging every footy fan and supporter of women’s sport to show up and support our athletes.
“With the 18-team competition now whole I want to acknowledge the role of every woman’s football pioneer – player, administrator, umpire, coach, volunteer, supporter – whose commitment and passion to women’s football has accelerated the development of the AFLW since its inception in 2017.”
The seventh AFLW season will feature Indigenous Round, across rounds 3 and 4, with the first Dreamtime match being held between Essendon and Richmond. Pride Round will take place in round 8, with a Pride double-header scheduled on the Saturday.
Saturday games in September will have “floating times”, according to the AFLW, to allow for double-header games to coincide with the AFL men’s final series.
“We’re introducing more double-headers, with back-to-back games across both women’s and men’s played on Friday nights throughout the season,” said AFL Executive General Manager Finance, Clubs and Broadcasting Travis Auld.
“The Saturday games throughout September will be floating times, enabling double-header fixtures during the AFL Final Series in the men’s competition.
“We’re doing everything we can to give AFLW fans the best experience and opportunity to support their favourite team.”
All matches will be broadcast live on the Seven Network, FOX FOOTY, Kayo, and streamed live on the AFL app and womens.afl and the Official AFLW App.
Check out the full fixture here.