ROUND ONE 

Essendon v Hawthorn  

7:40pm (AEST), Friday 13th of March 2026  

Gates open from 5:30pm (MCC from 5:00pm) 

MCG, Melbourne – Wurundjeri

Headed to the game early? Swing by our Bomberland activity area in Paddock 21 at Yarra Park, between gate’s 2 and 3. There’s something for everyone, thanks to our amazing Club partners! 

Swing by to grab a limited edition Seeing Red clapper for the game.  

Essendon v Hawthorn is a fully ticketed game. There will be no general admission access.  

Tickets are available via Ticketek and on gameday outside Gates 1 and 3. Reserved seats remain available for Round 1. General admission members will need to upgrade their ticket to have access to the game. 

All members without reserved seats can upgrade to a seat through Ticketek and use the ticket in their Ticketek account to get into the ground. Members can upgrade using this link.   

Essendon reserved seat members have two ways to access the game on Friday.   

Members' physical membership cards have a barcode that will allow members to scan entry at the turnstiles, however if members are yet to receive their card, or prefer the convenience of using a mobile device, they can log in to the official Essendon app using their membership details to access the mobile membership.   

More information on how to use your mobile membership can be found here.   

Need assistance? Our friendly membership team will be available from 5pm at the Membership Hub outside Gate 3.  

If you’re not a member, it’s not too late to sign up for 2026. Simply signup/renew online and then login to the Essendon FC app to access your ticket. Further information on member benefits can be found here. 

Bombers fans can grab all the latest and greatest merchandise from the Bomber Shop, located externally at gates one, two and three. If you’re already inside the ground, you can grab your merchandise internally on level one at gates five and seven, on level two at gate six and level three at gate six. Don’t forget to show your physical or mobile membership card to get 10% off at all EFC merchandise outlets.  

Please note that you cannot use your membership voucher on gameday and it is only valid at the Bomber Shop at the NEC Hangar or online.

There will only be limited accessibility parking options at the ‘G on Friday, so we recommend looking at alternative transportation methods. The stadium is only a short walk from both Jolimont and Richmond Stations.  

For Australian Disability Parking (ADP) permit holders, they can pre-book their parking via Ticketek, or access limited drive-up parking. Please see the MCG’s suggested alternative parking options here.  

POTENTIAL DISRUPTIONS  

Train disruptions 

Belgrave line:  

Buses replace trains between Ringwood and Belgrave stations from 10:30pm, Friday 13 March to last train, Sunday 15 March. 

Werribee line: 

All trains to the city will not stop at Seaholme, Altona and Westona stations. A replacement bus will take passengers to Newport Station for a connecting train service. 

Frankston line:  

Frankston Line services will run to an altered timetable between Flinders Street and Frankston stations until Thursday 21 May 

If you are unable to attend the match, you don’t have to miss the game, tune in on 7mate, Fox Footy, Kayo, Binge or 7plus from 7:30pm to watch the Bombers take on the Hawks (based on Melbourne/VIC region). For more information on AFL broadcast or ton check the time in your state, click here.