Essendon's fixture for rounds 16-22 of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season has been confirmed, with the Bombers set to feature in family-friendly time slots across the second half of the season.
The Saturday and Sunday afternoons and twilight schedule gives members, fans and families genuine opportunity to pack out Essendon games across the back half of the season, with three home games at Marvel Stadium and seven total games in Melbourne headlining the run.
A Sunday afternoon clash with St Kilda in Round 17 kicks off the home stretch, followed by Essendon’s annual Challenge ‘Tackling Childhood Cancer Match’ against GWS in Round 19.
For more than 20 years the Dons have been championing Challenge, where funds are raised to support children and families battling with cancer. The Bombers will then look ahead to face Adelaide in a twilight match for Round 21 at Marvel Stadium.
Away from home, the Bombers travel to Brisbane to face the Lions in round 18, before a twilight rematch with Hawthorn at the MCG in Round 20, a fixture that drew one of the biggest crowds of round one. The away schedule closes out in round 22 against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
Essendon CEO Tim Roberts said the fixture presented good opportunities for members and fans to get to games.
"Afternoon and twilight slots across weekends make it easier for members and supporters to get to games with family and friends," Roberts said.
"We've got some important matches ahead against quality sides, and the atmosphere our fans create makes a real difference to the playing group. We want to see red and black packed into every game between now and the end of the home and away season.
“The fixture also provides the playing group with consistent six and seven day breaks between games, which we see as a great football benefit heading into the second half of the season.
"We're confident our best football is still ahead of us this season. This group has some exciting young players who are developing quickly, and I know they'll give Bomber fans plenty to cheer about through these final rounds."
Fixture details for Round 23 against Sydney at the MCG (Community Game) and Round 24 against Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium (Thank You Member Round) will be confirmed in due course.
