ROUND 23

Essendon v Sydney 

4:40pm (AEST), Sunday 16th of August 2026    

Gates open from 3:00pm (MCC gates from 2:30pm) 

MCG, Melbourne – Wurundjeri  

Thanks to Amazon Ring 

COMMUNITY GAME 

As part of this week's Community Round, we celebrate the diverse cultures and backgrounds that make up the Essendon community. The stories, traditions and experiences of our players, members and supporters all contribute to the identity of our club. Together, we recognise and embrace this diversity, and invite everyone to join us at the ‘G.  

KEY TIMINGS  

WHAT'S ON

Get in early and explore our fan zone, with something for the whole family to enjoy. From free giveaways, Lebanese drummers and food trucks to appearances by Skeeta and Sky, be sure to stop by before making your way into the stadium. 

There will be something for everyone to enjoy in the Bomber Fan Zone, so we recommend getting to the game nice and early to make the most of everything on offer. Check out the Dutton One One Minute Challenge, where you can test your driving skills and complete the course in under one minute to win some prizes, and test out your hole-in-one skills while you're there. Coles Healthy Kicks will also be there for a fun kick before the game. 

Ring “Get it in the Ring” returns, featuring a 3‑metre inflatable Ring doorbell where attendees throw handballs at the target to score points and win prizes including free Ring Video Doorbells. MOVA will be offering free face painting to all Bomber fans! 

Dutton Dribble is on at quarter time, where one lucky fan attempts to dribble the ball through the goals for a jackpot of a $2,500 EFTPOS voucher. 

Ring will allow fans to guess the bomber in our Ring Doorbell Dons challenge. Make sure you’re in your seats for your chance to win! 

The Airwallex Sprint & Spend challenge will be on at three quarter time. One lucky Bombers fan will race against a Swans speedster to sprint to the Airwallex pay station, tap their Airwallex card, and sprint back. The winner gets a $500 Acceleration Grant for their business or professional development! 

Essendon v Sydney tickets are available on Tickets are available via Ticketek and on gameday outside Gates 1 and 3.    

Essendon members have two ways to access the game on Sunday.  

Members' physical membership cards have a barcode that will allow members to scan in 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.  

Any Essendon members who wish to reserve a seat can upgrade using this link. Simply select ‘Club Members and Public Reserve’ from the drop-down menu and enter your 12-digit barcode to unlock discounted reserved seating options.  

Need assistance? Our friendly membership team will be available from 2:45pm at the Membership Hub outside of 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.     

MERCHANDISE 

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 be no parking available in Yarra Park for this match.   

Only those with Australian Disability Parking (ADP) permit holders who have already pre-purchased a Ticketek parking pass, will be able to access the car park. These pre-purchased parking passes are now exhausted.  

The MCG is only a short walk from both Richmond and Jolimont stations. We recommend you plan ahead using the PTV Journey Planner.  

POTENTIAL DISRUPTIONS     

Train 

Frankston Line: Buses replace trains between Cheltenham and Frankston from 8:30pm Friday 14 August until the last train on Sunday 16 August.  

Sunbury Line: Buses replace trains between Footscray and Sunbury from 8:30pm Friday 14 August until the last train on Sunday 16 August.  

Cranbourne & Pakenham Lines: Cranbourne and Pakenham services will start and terminate at Caulfield from 9pm Friday 14 August until the last service on Sunday 16 August. 

Bendigo, Echuca & Swan Hill Lines: Coaches replace trains for all or part of the journey from Friday night 14 August until the last service on Sunday 16 August.  

Traralgon & Bairnsdale Lines: Coaches replace trains for part of the journey from Friday night 14 August until the last service on Sunday 16 August.  

Seymour Line: Coaches replace some evening train services for the entire journey from Tuesday 11 August to Thursday 20 August.  

Ballarat, Ararat & Maryborough Lines: Coaches and buses replace trains for all or part of the journey from Wednesday 12 August until the last service on Monday 31 August.

Road 

Eastern Freeway (Bulleen): Closed in both directions between Bulleen Road and Springvale Road from 10pm Friday 14 August until 5am Monday 17 August

If you are unable to attend the match, you don’t have to miss the game, tune in on, Fox Footy from 4:30pm to watch the Bombers take on the Swans (based on Melbourne/VIC region). For more information on AFL broadcast or ton check the time in your state, click here.