2026 Hostplus SANFL Fixture

By ZAC MILBANK

The 2026 Hostplus SANFL League season is primed for an electrifying start, with traditional rivals Norwood and Sturt clashing in the opening match ahead of a host of blockbusters in the opening rounds.

Tipped to be two of the early front-runners next season, the Redlegs and Double Blues will set the scene under lights at The Parade on Friday March 27 after the fixture was released on Wednesday.

The remaining four Round 1 matches will be played on Saturday March 28, with Central District and North Adelaide, together with Port Adelaide and Glenelg, featuring in twilight clashes from 4.10pm.

West Adelaide will begin a new era under coach Nathan Bassett at Richmond Oval against an Adelaide outfit which will likely unveil first-round draft pick Mitchell Marsh against his former club.

South Adelaide will host Woodville-West Torrens at Magain Stadium as two former AFL players in St Kilda’s Arie Schoenmaker (South) and Geelong’s Ted Clohesy (Eagles) prepare to make their Hostplus SANFL League debut.

Easter will again be a major highlight on the SANFL calendar as the Eagles and Adelaide collide from 7.40pm at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval on Thursday April 2 before four massive matches on Good Friday.

West will confront Central at Richmond Oval while South Adelaide will host the Magpies, now coached by Jacob Surjan, at Magain Stadium.

This year’s Preliminary Finalists, the Matthew Clarke-coached Glenelg and Norwood will do battle at Stratarama Stadium while the Roosters, with Josh Francou at the helm, will have star recruit James Battersby face his former teammates for the first time when Sturt lands at the newly-named Revo Fitness Oval.

Anzac Day looms as another exciting feature, including the traditional Grand Final rematch between 2025 Grand Finalists – Sturt and Glenelg – at Thomas Farms Oval on Saturday April 25.

The Double Blues and Tigers attracted a massive crowd of 34,426 in the 2025 title-decider, ensuring similar excitement will surround the first time they meet next season.

”We are really excited about the marquee match-ups, particularly in the opening rounds,” SANFL Head of Football Operations Sean Toohey said.

”It promises to be an intriguing start to the Hostplus SANFL League season with a host of new recruits, and coaches, sporting their new clubs’ colours for the first time. Scheduling these highly-anticipated clashes early in the fixture will maximise the potential for significant attendances amid the milder weather.

”Continuing to showcase the competition in South Australia’s regional areas is an important feature, providing our country followers with a chance to watch their favourite teams up close, in familiar locations.”

• Four matches on Good Friday, including blockbuster fixtures between Glenelg and Norwood together with North Adelaide and Sturt.
• Two regional matches with Norwood hosting West Adelaide in Port Lincoln in Round 6 while Central District will host South Adelaide at Barossa Park in Round 14 as part of the Think! Road Safety SA Country Championships.
• The traditional Anzac Day Grand Final rematch between 2025 Grand Finalists – Sturt and Glenelg – at Thomas Farms Oval on Saturday April 25. North Adelaide will also host Adelaide at Revo Fitness Oval on Anzac Day.
• The West End State team to host the VFL at Stratarama Stadium on Saturday April 11 as part of AFL Gather Round before playing the WAFL in Perth on the weekend of Saturday May 16.
• First Nations Round to be held in Round 7, aligning with Sir Doug Nicholls Round in the AFL.
• Two blockbuster matches on the King’s Birthday Holiday Weekend, with Glenelg hosting Port Adelaide on Saturday June 6 and Sturt confronting Norwood on Monday June 8.
• A four-week finals series to be played at Adelaide Oval, culminating in the 2026 Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final on Sunday September 20.

A four-week finals series starting on Sunday August 30 will be played at Adelaide Oval, culminating with the 2026 Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final on Sunday September 20.

Start times and match days for Rounds 12 to 19 will be confirmed later in the year, once the AFL finalises its full minor round fixture.

SANFL is encouraging fans to sign up for a club home match membership in 2026, with this being the most cost-effective way to support their team at games this season.

SANFL club memberships can be purchased via the SANFL website here.

Hard copies of the 2026 Hostplus SANFL League season fixture will be available with the purchase of The Advertiser on Thursday.