澳洲足联将在悉尼和布里斯班等北方城市举行首轮比赛, 提升该运动在2028年塔斯马尼亚进入之前的全国范围. The AFL will keep its opening round in northern cities like Sydney and Brisbane, boosting the sport's national reach ahead of Tasmania's 2028 entry.

AFL的首轮比赛将在悉尼、布里斯班、黄金海岸及其他北部市场进行，AFL首席运营官汤姆·哈利确认，将成为赛季的永久组成部分。 The AFL's Opening Round, featuring games in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and other northern markets, will remain a permanent part of the season, AFL COO Tom Harley confirmed. 2026年的赛季于3月5日开始,悉尼主办卡尔顿赛季,随后在昆士兰举行比赛,圣基尔达和科林伍德星期日晚上在MCG发生冲突。 The 2026 season opens on March 5 with Sydney hosting Carlton, followed by matches in Queensland and a Sunday night clash between St Kilda and Collingwood at the MCG. Harley以新南威尔士州和昆士兰州出勤率和会员人数的强劲增长为例,强调该活动在将体育范围扩大到传统堡垒之外的作用。 Harley emphasized the event's role in expanding the sport's reach beyond traditional strongholds, citing strong attendance and membership growth in NSW and Queensland. 尽管面临诸如时间安排与重大事件发生冲突等挑战,但他为这种形式辩护,认为它对国家发展至关重要,特别是计划2028年塔斯马尼亚恶魔入境。 Despite challenges like scheduling conflicts with major events, he defended the format as vital for national growth, especially with the planned 2028 entry of the Tasmania Devils.