Essendon faces a tough start to the 2015 season with match ups against this year's grand finalists as well as three interstate trips before the mid way point of the season.

The Bombers will kick off their 2015 campaign with a road trip to ANZ Stadium to take on runner up Sydney from 4.35pm in Saturday 4 April.

It only gets harder for the Bombers in round two with a blockbuster against reigning premier Hawthorn at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

The club's round two clash against the Hawks is the first of a number of blockbusters against traditional rivals at the MCG for the Bombers who will host both Collingwood and Richmond at the venue.

Following their opening round trip to Sydney the club will have a trio of matches at the MCG against Hawthorn, Carlton and Collingwood before a round six road trip to Perth to take on West Coast.

The Bombers return to Perth in round 11 to take on Fremantle ahead of their scheduled bye in round 12.

Essendon has been scheduled to play Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Collingwood, Richmond and St Kilda twice during the season.

Unlike previous fixtures the annual ANZAC Day match against Collingwood in round four falls on a Saturday meaning their is minimal disruption to the normal football schedule in terms of rest days between games.

In total the Bombers will have to travel five times during the season with two trips to Perth, two trips to Sydney and one trip to the Gold Coast.

They have avoided a clash with Adelaide or Port Adelaide in front of a packed Adelaide Oval crowd.

In total the club will play 17 matches in Victoria split with nine at Etihad Stadium and eight at the MCG.

There will be just two Friday night matches for the red and black in 2015, both falling against North Melbourne, in round seven and round 16.

Click here to view the full fixture or download it direct to your phone, tablet or computer today with the Bombers eCal.