Essendon is proud to bring back its Community Game in 2026 as part of the AFL’s Cultural Heritage Series.

For the round 23 clash with Sydney, the Bombers will celebrate the diversity and wide array of cultures that build the Club – from its players’ backgrounds, the stories that define its people, and the community that allows it to succeed.

The initiative will focus on storytelling, community engagement, staff education, and match day experience with the aim to connect new audiences with our Club and bring new fans to the ‘G for the first time. 

Essendon kicked off the celebrations with a special Mukbang event in conjunction with TypeMEDIA’s Uchitha ‘Cheets’ Wijesekara (Sri Lanka).

Isaac Kako (Iraq), Jayden Nguyen (Vietnam), Cillian Bourke (Ireland), Saad El-Hawli and Huss El Achkar (Lebanon) delved into their unique stories of discovering footy, discussing the importance of their upbringings and the attachment they feel to their respective family cultures.

Proudly donning the flags of their nations, the group also gathered for a special commemorative photoshoot.

The Club’s strong relationships with culturally diverse local clubs in its North-West Corridor will be explored as well as the NGA program which continues to unearth new talent and benefit the Bombers’ AFL program into the future.

“I’m really grateful to be part of a Club that shows this level of care for its community,” Nguyen said.

“There’s an overwhelming feeling of pride that I carry with me in representing the Australian Vietnamese community every day - the same sense of pride I feel in putting on the red and black.

“There are amazing stories everywhere you look in the communities that surround the Essendon Football Club, whether it’s in our NGA program, the grassroots or the people who come to the Club every day."

Nguyen’s advocacy in his community will take centre stage, while El-Hawli also makes a positive impact in introducing Lebanese-Australian children to the game by providing first-time AFL experiences for them.

During this time, a Cultural Heritage hub will sit front and centre on the Essendon website, giving fans a first-hand look into the sheer range of cultures that have made our Club what it is.

The AFL’s Cultural Heritage Series is a league-wide initiative that recognises the diverse cultural heritage of fans, players, participants and communities across the game, the theme coming to life in 2026 as Many Cultures, One Game. 

“We’re proud to deliver our annual Community Game under the AFL’s Cultural Heritage Series and celebrate our rich community centre-stage next week,” CEO Tim Roberts said.

“Whether it be the range of cultures that make up our AFL and AFLW lists, our connection to First Nations people, the fans who’ve discovered our Club from different corners of the globe or the staff that keep the place ticking, our diversity is incredibly important to our history and also our future.

“Every day we celebrate the stories that make up our Club, but to place a particular spotlight on it for round 23 is terrific. We’re thrilled with the work that has gone into bringing this to life and the ability to tell the stories of our people."

Essendon’s clash with Sydney on the Sunday afternoon of round 23 will also see the MCG play host to several activations showcasing the initiative.