2025 AFL Finals Series Kicks Off: Complete Guide to Week One Matches and Schedule

Historic Finals Series Begins

The 2025 AFL season marks the 129th season of the Australian Football League, featuring 18 clubs. The season will conclude with a four-week finals series featuring the top eight clubs, culminating on September 27.

Week One Finals Schedule

The qualifying finals kick off with Adelaide facing Collingwood at Adelaide Oval on Thursday, September 4, followed by Geelong hosting Brisbane at the MCG on Friday, September 5.

The elimination finals will see Greater Western Sydney battle Hawthorn at Engie Stadium on Saturday, September 6, at 3:15pm AEST, followed by Fremantle taking on Gold Coast at Optus Stadium later that evening.

Historic Moments and Key Storylines

Adelaide enters the finals as minor premiers after finishing the home-and-away season with an impressive 18-5 win-loss record. The season has already seen individual success with Geelong’s Jeremy Cameron securing his second Coleman Medal as the league’s leading goalkicker.

In a historic moment for the competition, the Gold Coast Suns are making their first-ever finals appearance after 15 attempts, while Fremantle returns to September action for just the second time in a decade.

Path to the Grand Final

The 2025 Toyota AFL Grand Final is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, at 2:30pm AEST at the MCG. The match will maintain its traditional afternoon timeslot, bringing together the two preliminary final winners in the season’s ultimate clash.

Fans can follow their teams across the country during the finals series through AFL Travel, with packages including flights, accommodation, and special footy experiences all available in one place.