The last few AFL seasons has seen a single bye for teams through the mid-season period - but that's all going to change in 2024.
With the governing changing the start of the campaign to include an extra 'Opening Round' in NSW and Queensland, there is a significant alteration to the bye structure.
The Sporting News explains what is going to happen in the upcoming season.
SEE: When your club AFL has a bye during 2024
MORE: AFL Injury List 2024: All the pre-season medical news, Supercoach tips
How will the AFL byes work in 2024?
Eight teams will play in AFL's 'Opening Round', which is prior to Round 1, across NSW and Queensland - including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Carlton, Gold Coast, Richmond, GWS and Collingwood.
These teams will have a bye between Rounds 2 and 6, meaning by the end of Round 6, every AFL side will have played the same amount of games.
The mid-season byes will continue as usual, spaced across Rounds 12 and 15 - with every club having one week off during this period.
AFL Byes 2024
Round 2
- Brisbane
- Carlton
Round 3
- Gold Coast
- GWS
Round 5
- Collingwood
- Sydney
Round 6
- Richmond
- Melbourne
Round 12
- Brisbane
- North Melbourne
- Sydney
- GWS
Round 13
- Port Adelaide
- Fremantle
Round 14
- Gold Coast
- Carlton
- Geelong
- Essendon
- Melbourne
- West Coast
Round 15
- Adelaide
- Collingwood
- Western Bulldogs
- Hawthorn
- St Kilda
- Richmond
Why is the AFL is playing its 'Opening Round' in NSW and Queensland?
Aiming to grow the game in New South Wales and Queensland, the AFL has decided to start the 2024 season solely in those states.
With the NRL expanding its reach to Las Vegas the weekend before with two matches in the famous U.S city, the AFL is attempting to fire a shot in the war for attention in two of its developing regions.
On Thursday night, Brodie Grundy and James Jordon will face their former clubs as Sydney and Melbourne open the season.
There will be preliminary final rematches on Friday and Saturday night, with Brisbane hosting Carlton and GWS welcoming Collingwood.
The Saturday twilight fixture will see Damien Hardwick's return to coaching for Gold Coast against his former club Richmond.
With only these eight clubs in action, they will have a bye through rounds two-to-six to ensure the competition is even on games played by round seven.
The following weekend after 'Opening Round' will be a traditional round one fixture seeing Richmond and Carlton renew hostilities on Thursday night at the MCG.
