There is so much to look forward to in Geelong's 2027 AFL fixture, after the schedule was released on Thursday. 

Cats fans are already locking in their plans to make sure they do not miss a minute of the action, as their team prepares to embark on an exciting campaign. 

Within the schedule, there are a number of games that you simply can not afford to miss, including matches against old rivals and season-defining clashes against the best in the business. 

Take a look through five must-watch games in Geelong's 2027 AFL season. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 04: Jeremy Cameron of the Cats runs out during the 2026 AFL First Elimination Final between the Geelong Cats and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 4, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos)

1. The Season Opener

KEY DETAILS
Sydney v Geelong Cats
SCG, Sydney
Wednesday 17th March
7.30pm AEDT

Geelong has not featured in the first match of an AFL season since 1996, in a thumping 127-point victory over Melbourne when Gary Ablett Sr set the MCG alight with a nine-goal haul. 

But 31 years on, the Cats will return to the spotlight in the 2027 season opener, as they prepare to take on the Sydney Swans at the SCG in a blockbuster Round 1 battle. 

Two of the competition's most consistent teams in recent history, both have held the ascendancy over the other at different stages, but Geelong have won the last two clashes between the sides. 

The Cats also hold a relatively strong record at the SCG, winning four of their last eight games at the venue, something they will be looking to extend when the new campaign rolls around. 

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 09: Tom Stewart of the Cats walks to the coin toss during the round 13 AFL match between Sydney Swans and Geelong Cats at SCG on June 09, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos)

2. Another Easter Monday Battle

KEY DETAILS
Hawthorn v Geelong
MCG, Melbourne
Monday 29th March
3.15pm AEDT

Geelong's mammoth start to the 2027 season continues into Round 2, with the second week of action aligning with the Easter weekend, meaning another Easter Monday clash with Hawthorn awaits. 

It was one of the best games of the year in 2026, as the two heavyweights went toe-to-toe and the Hawks prevailed by a solitary point, adding another remarkable chapter to a historic rivalry. 

Prior to that however, the Cats had the better of the Hawks with a run of five consecutive wins stretching back to 2023, but Easter Monday always has the ability to throw in some incredible contests. 

Both teams were busy during the player movement period and recruited plenty of big names, so expect more fireworks in the traditional clash between the Cats and Hawks in 2027. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 06: Oliver Henry of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2026 AFL Round 04 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 6, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos)

3. A Chance at Redemption in Perth

KEY DETAILS
Fremantle v Geelong
Optus Stadium, Perth
Thursday 24th June
8.10pm AEST

It was one of the best rivalries in the 2026 season, with three clashes producing a trio of incredible matches between Geelong and Fremantle throughout the year. 

The first came in Round 1, when the Cats stormed their way back from a 35-point deficit nearing half-time, kicking 10 of the last 13 goals to take down the Dockers at GMHBA Stadium. 

Fremantle then got one back in Round 15, with an undermanned Geelong outfit carving out a 28-point lead in the opening half at Optus Stadium, before the home side finished with a burst to clinch the four points. 

The blockbuster Semi-Final clash was no different, with the Cats clawing back an early deficit to hit the lead in the third quarter, before Fremantle mounted another strong finish to end Geelong's season. 

With both teams expected to be contenders once again in 2027, this is one game that should certainly be circled on the calendar heading into the new year. 

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 11: Jeremy Cameron of the Cats celebrates a goal during the AFL Semi Final match between Fremantle Dockers and Geelong Cats at Optus Stadium, on September 11, 2026, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

4. Cats Host the Blues

KEY DETAILS
Geelong v Carlton
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Round 19
Date & Time TBC

One of the biggest games scheduled at the Cattery in 2027 will come late in the season, with Carlton set to make the trek down the highway in Round 19. 

It will be just the fourth time in the past 30 years that the Blues have visited GMHBA Stadium, and their first trip since the COVID-affected 2020 season. 

The Blues won that most recent clash at GMHBA Stadium in front of no spectators, but Geelong won the match-ups in 2018 and 2019 prior to that. 

5. A 20-Year Celebration of 2007

KEY DETAILS
Geelong v Port Adelaide
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Round 21
Date & Time TBC

2027 will mark the 20th anniversary of Geelong's drought-breaking 2007 premiership, which the club will celebrate accordingly throughout the season. 

The big celebration will come in Round 21, when the Cats host Port Adelaide at GMHBA Stadium, the team they beat by 119 points in the '07 Grand Final to hoist the premiership cup. 

The two teams played out an enthralling clash in Round 21 of that 2007 season at GMHBA Stadium, where the Power prevailed after kicking a late goal, before the Cats went on to flip the script when it mattered most. 

With plenty of exciting activations planned for the celebrations, it is set to be a night that Cats fans can not miss and will not forget.Â