The AFL has released the 2021 Community Series pre-season fixture with 18 games scheduled across 18 different venues around Australia.

The three-week pre-season competition starts on February 18 when Grand Finalists Geelong host Essendon under lights at GMHBA Stadium.

All 18 clubs will play two games over three weeks before reigning premiers Richmond and Carlton open the 2021 premiership season on March 18.

“Our two objectives for the pre-season fixture are to give clubs the best opportunity to prepare ahead of the season and to take matches to supporters in local and regional communities,” AFL fixture boss Auld said in a statement.

“The AFL Community Series will see football played at local grounds right across the country and we are really looking forward to connecting the elite men’s game to regional and suburban footy grounds, allowing fans to be able to watch their teams in action in their own backyard.

Below is the full 2021 AFL Community Series fixture (All times AEDT):

2021 AFL Community Series fixture

WEEK 1

Thursday February 18

Geelong Cats vs Essendon — GMHBA Stadium, 7.10pm

Friday February 19

West Coast Eagles vs St Kilda — Leederville Oval, 7.40pm

Saturday February 20

Collingwood vs Hawthorn — Morwell Recreation Reserve, 3.10pm

GWS Giants vs Sydney Swans — Blacktown International Sportspark, 6.10pm

Sunday February 21

Port Adelaide vs Carlton — Bennett Oval (Whyalla, SA), 5.10pm

WEEK 2

Friday February 26

Fremantle vs Melbourne — Fremantle Oval, 7.10pm

Saturday February 27

Richmond vs Western Bulldogs — Lavington Sports Ground (Albury, NSW), 3.10pm

Gold Coast Suns vs Brisbane Lions — Metricon Stadium, 7.40pm

Sunday February 28

North Melbourne vs Adelaide — North Hobart Oval, 2.10pm

WEEK 3

Wednesday March 3

Sydney Swans vs Collingwood — C.ex Coffs International Stadium, 7.10pm

Thursday March 4

St Kilda vs Geelong Cats — RSEA Park, 7.10pm

Friday March 5

GWS Giants vs Essendon — Manuka Oval, 7.40pm

Saturday March 6

Western Bulldogs vs Gold Coast Suns — Victoria University Whitten Oval, 1.40pm

Carlton vs Brisbane Lions — Ikon Park, 4.40pm

Hawthorn vs Port Adelaide — UTAS Stadium, 7.40pm

Sunday March 7

Adelaide Crows vs Richmond — Flinders University Stadium (Noarlunga), 1.10pm

Melbourne vs North Melbourne — Casey Fields, 4.10pm

West Coast Eagles vs Fremantle — David Grays Arena (Mandurah), 7.10pm

The MCG will host the first three games of the 2021 AFL season, with football set to return in front of crowds in Melbourne for the first time since the 2019 Grand Final.

Five of the nine round one games will be held in Melbourne, with Richmond and Carlton to kick off the season at the MCG on Thursday, March 18.

At that game, the Tigers are expected to unfurl both their 2019 and 2020 premiership flags.

Western Bulldogs recruit Adam Treloar is poised to make his debut against his former club Collingwood the following night – a game where the Dogs could debut No.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.

Melbourne will then play Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday afternoon while grand finalists Geelong are set to unveil their bevy of recruits, including Jeremy Cameron, in Adelaide against the Crows.

ROUND 1 AFL FIXTURE (ALL TIMES AEDT)

Thursday, March 18

Richmond vs. Carlton, MCG, 7.25pm

Friday, March 19

Collingwood vs. Western Bulldogs, MCG, 7.50pm

Saturday, March 20

Melbourne vs. Fremantle, MCG, 1.45pm

Adelaide vs. Geelong, Adelaide Oval, 4.35pm

Essendon vs. Hawthorn, Marvel Stadium, 7.25pm

Brisbane vs. Sydney, Gabba, 7.15pm

Sunday, March 21

North Melbourne vs. Port Adelaide, Marvel Stadium, 1.10pm

Greater Western Sydney vs. St Kilda, Giants Stadium, 3.20pm

West Coast vs. Gold Coast, Optus Stadium, 6.10pm

It’s the preliminary final new-boys against the side that’s been there more than most since 2007. And while that lack of experience for the Lions might seem ominous, the circumstances of this match render that factor a moot point.

Brisbane vanquished any questions about their finals immaturity when they beat Richmond in the qualifying final. On top of that, the Lions have had the advantage of spending an unprecedented amount of time with the comforts of home this season, as opposed to the nomadic Victorian Cats side.

There really couldn’t be a greater opportunity for Brisbane to win their first flag since 2003, given the grand final is on their home deck too, but in their way stands a determined Cats side.

The first AFL grand final to ever be played outside of Melbourne will have a “quintessential Queensland” vibe, with organisers announcing an all-Aussie musical lineup for the code’s decider at Brisbane’s Gabba on October 24.

Brisbane band Sheppard, best known for hits Geronimo and Coming Home, will perform during the halftime break, while Brisbane indie-pop faves Cub Sport and Indigenous electronic duo Electric Fields, performing with Brisbane singer Thelma Plum and Rockhampton roots duo Busby Marou, will also feature at the event.

Other artists set to perform include Sydney Brit-poppers DMA’s, Wolfmother’s Andrew Stockdale, and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra led by renowned musical director Chong Lim. Up There Cazaly writer Mike Brady will also perform the famed footy anthem from the MCG, accompanied live by the QSO at the Gabba.

Sparked by the second-wave spread of COVID-19 through Victoria since July, the grand final’s move to the Gabba marks the first time that the decider won’t be played in Melbourne since the Victorian Football League was established in 1897. It’s also the first time the game will be held at night.

The band Sheppard said in a statement that the “importance and sheer scope of this event isn’t lost on us”.

“Obviously, this is an absolute dream gig for any band in any year and we are pinching ourselves that we’ve been given such an incredible opportunity,” the band said. “We’ve got a euphoric, energetic and colourful show planned that we hope you’ll all enjoy.”