The AFL has today confirmed the schedule for the AFLW practice matches and match simulation trainings as clubs build towards the 2026 NAB AFLW Season.
Geelong's official practice match will take place on Saturday, July 25 as the Cats head north to take on Brisbane at Brighton Homes Arena.
The clash will be surrounded by three match simulation trainings, starting with Melbourne in the first window which will take place between July 8 and July 12.
This will then be followed by another match simulation training against the Bulldogs on either July 17 or 18, then a final hit-out against Carlton in the window between July 21 and August 2.
The pre-season fixtures will provide fans with their first opportunity to see their teams and new recruits in action ahead of the 2026 NAB AFLW Season, which begins on Sunday, 9 August with St Kilda and Carlton featuring in a historic AFL/AFLW double-header for Spud’s Game.
Practice matches will be live streamed on club websites. Teams will be announced by AFL Media at 5.30pm AEST on the day prior to each practice match.
The match ups for the match simulation trainings are:
Match Simulation Trainings No.1 – Wednesday, 8 July to Sunday, 12 July
Collingwood v Carlton
Essendon v St Kilda
Fremantle v Adelaide Crows
Geelong Cats v Melbourne
GWS GIANTS v Brisbane Lions
Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs
Richmond v North Melbourne
Sydney Swans v Gold Coast SUNS
West Coast Eagles v Port Adelaide
Match Simulation Trainings No.2 – Friday, 17 July and Saturday, 18 July
Adelaide Crows v West Coast Eagles
Brisbane Lions v Sydney Swans
Carlton v Essendon
Gold Coast SUNS v GWS GIANTS
Melbourne v Richmond
North Melbourne v Collingwood
Port Adelaide v Fremantle
St Kilda v Hawthorn
Western Bulldogs v Geelong Cats
Match Simulation Trainings No.3 – Friday, 21 July to Sunday, 2 August
Adelaide Crows v Port Adelaide
Carlton v Geelong Cats
Essendon v Melbourne
Fremantle v West Coast Eagles
Gold Coast SUNS v Brisbane Lions
GWS GIANTS v Sydney Swans
Hawthorn v Richmond
St Kilda v North Melbourne
Western Bulldogs v Collingwood
Arrangements and public access for match simulation trainings will be managed and communicated by each club. Fans and media are encouraged to refer to club websites in the lead-up to match simulation trainings and practice matches for information regarding access and streaming.
The full fixture for Geelong's 2026 NAB AFLW Season is available here.
