There has never been a better time to be a Geelong supporter, with a blockbuster schedule awaiting in 2026 and a number of games that are set to get the adrenaline pumping. 

From old rivalries that have been renewed through to budding new competitors, there will be plenty of matches to pencil into the calendar that you will not want to miss this season. 

The Cats will kick off their campaign with a trip to the Sunshine State in the opening week of March, taking on the Gold Coast Suns who have certainly been on the rise in recent years. 

From there, it will only continue to get more exciting with every passing week. Take a look at the top five rivalry games below heading into the new year. 

1. Geelong v Hawthorn - Easter Monday @ MCG, Round 4

It felt like this epic modern rivalry received a well-timed spark in 2025, with two classic contests that helped to reignite the passion between two historic franchises. 

Geelong and Hawthorn certainly know how to put on a thriller, with 17 games since 2009 decided by 12 points or less, one of those coming on Easter Monday last year. 

The two sides could not be separated for much of the afternoon, before Shaun Mannagh curled home the sealer later in the fourth quarter as the Cats secured a seven-point victory. 

That was not the last chapter in the tale for 2025, with the Cats and Hawks meeting in the penultimate weekend of the season in front of close to 100,000 fans at the MCG. 

After a slow start, Geelong responded and kicked away after half-time to progress to the Grand Final, inspired by a stellar 31-disposal and three-goal outing from Patrick Dangerfield. 

The Cats have had the upper hand recently with five consecutive wins over the Hawks, a streak they will be looking to continue early in the 2026 season. 

2. Geelong v Western Bulldogs - Round 6 @ GMHBA Stadium

In historical terms, Cats vs Dogs is one of the oldest and most debated rivalries in existence. 

On the football field however, clashes between Geelong and Western Bulldogs are starting to become increasingly popular and substantially more entertaining. 

Part of that has to do with the blockbuster trade at the conclusion of 2024, which saw Bailey Smith leave the Kennel to pull on the blue and white Hoops at the Cattery. 

But the games themselves have been equally as fascinating, with the Bulldogs getting the better of Geelong in two of the last three clashes at GMHBA Stadium, a team that has certainly figured out how to adapt to the conditions at Kardinia Park. 

Smith drew first blood in his inaugural match against the former side, with the Cats prevailing by 14 points in a riveting clash last year, but these two teams have a knack of producing enthralling contests so expect no different in 2026. 

3. Geelong v Collingwood - Round 9 @ MCG

It turned out to be one of the most iconic games of the 2025 season when these two teams squared off, but Geelong and Collingwood have a long-standing record of playing out amazing contests at the home of football. 

Last year's edition was an instant classic, seven points was the biggest lead either team held at the end of a quarter, and the Cats fought their way back from an early 20-point deficit with a fantastic burst in the third quarter. 

Geelong kicked seven out of eight goals between the third and fourth quarters, holding a seemingly unassailable lead late in the game before Collingwood mounted one last challenge, Jack Crisp getting an opportunity to win the game for the Magpies after the final siren. 

He would miss and the Cats escaped with the four points, but it continued a stretch of games between the two teams where no side has won a match by more than 22 points, extending back over the last seven clashes to the 2021 season. 

The crowd figures have matched the occasion, with an average attendance of 82,564 packing into the MCG for the last five matches between the Cats and Magpies. 

2026 will double as an even more important evening for the Cats, with the Round 9 match set to be Geelong's only home game at the MCG for the season. 

4. Geelong v Brisbane - Grand Final Rematch @ Gabba, Round 10

It was a heartbreaking way to conclude a brilliant campaign in 2025, but with a new year comes a new opportunity for the Cats to take on Brisbane as they look to go one step better in 2026. 

The Cats will face the Lions twice this year, but the first meeting will come in Round 10 at the Gabba, the week after Geelong's clash with Collingwood and in the midst of a challenging stretch of games. 

Chris Scott and his troops will look to take inspiration from their stirring Qualifying Final victory last year, when a number of tactical moves paid off in a 38 point win over the Lions. 

But it was a bright spot in an intriguing run of form against Brisbane in recent history, with the Lions getting the better of the Cats in four of the last five matches dating back to the 2024 Preliminary Final. 

With plenty of big games on the calendar this year, this will certainly be one that Geelong will have circled on their calendar as the season unfolds. 

5. Geelong v GWS Giants @ ENGIE Stadium, Round 18

There have not been many teams that have had Geelong's measure for an extended period of time, but the GWS Giants have struck a winning formula in recent years. 

The Giants have triumphed in the last four clashes with the Cats, Geelong's last victory against the men in orange coming in 2022 at Manuka Oval. 

While the history between the two at GMHBA Stadium has been well publicised, the 2026 edition of this rivalry will be played at ENGIE Stadium, but that certainly does not make it any easier for the Cats. 

In fact, Geelong's last victory over the Giants at their home ground came all the way back in 2014, when Steve Johnson collected a lazy 30 disposals and three goals. 

Last year saw GWS claim a 26 point victory at ENGIE Stadium, with the Cats getting a new opportunity to dethrone the Giants in Round 18 this year.