AFL finals fixture 2025: Week 1 finals hosts locked in; trio fight for last two spots in eight

The eight finalists for 2025 are almost locked in, with Fremantle clinching their spot in September on Sunday afternoon.

It means the Western Bulldogs will have to wait until Wednesday night to learn whether they play finals, or if Gold Coast can clinch a maiden finals appearance by beating Essendon.

Here’s what we know about the 2025 AFL finals fixture right now, plus see how the AFL finals system works below. All times AEST.

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AFL 2025 FINALS FIXTURE

Full fixture to be revealed night of Wednesday August 27

WEEK 1 – QUALIFYING AND ELIMINATION FINALS – SEPTEMBER 4-6

First Qualifying Final: [1st] Adelaide Crows vs [4th] Collingwood

Date and time TBC at Adelaide Oval

First Elimination Final: [5th] GWS Giants vs [8th] Hawthorn, Western Bulldogs or Gold Coast Suns

Date and time TBC at ENGIE Stadium

Second Elimination Final: [6th] Fremantle vs [7th] Hawthorn or Gold Coast Suns

Date and time TBC at Optus Stadium

Second Qualifying Final: [2nd] Geelong vs [3rd] Brisbane Lions

Date and time TBC at the MCG

WEEK 2 – SEMI FINALS – SEPTEMBER 12-13

First Semi Final: First Qualifying Final loser (Adelaide Crows or Collingwood) vs First Elimination Final winner (GWS Giants, Hawthorn, Western Bulldogs or Gold Coast Suns)

Date and time TBC at either Adelaide Oval or the MCG

Second Semi Final: Second Qualifying Final loser (Geelong or Brisbane Lions) vs Second Elimination Final winner (Fremantle, Hawthorn or Gold Coast Suns)

Date and time TBC at either the MCG or the Gabba

WEEK 3 – PRELIMINARY FINALS – SEPTEMBER 19-20

First Preliminary Final: First Qualifying Final winner (Adelaide Crows or Collingwood) vs Second Semi Final winner (Geelong, Brisbane Lions, Fremantle, Hawthorn or Gold Coast Suns)

Date and time TBC at either Adelaide Oval or the MCG

Second Preliminary Final: Second Qualifying Final winner (Geelong or Brisbane Lions) vs First Semi Final winner (Adelaide Crows, Collingwood, GWS Giants, Hawthorn, Western Bulldogs or Gold Coast Suns)

Date and time TBC at either the MCG or the Gabba

AFL GRAND FINAL 2025

Winner of First Preliminary Final vs Winner of Second Preliminary Final

Saturday September 27, 2:30pm at the MCG

WHEN IS THE AFL GRAND FINAL?

The AFL finals series get underway on Thursday September 4, following the pre-finals bye week.

The 2025 AFL Grand Final is scheduled for Saturday September 27, remaining in its traditional slot of 2:30pm AEST at the MCG.

WHEN DO FINALS TICKETS GO ON SALE?

An article on the Geelong website states: “The Week 1 Toyota AFL Finals fixture and ticket on-sale information will be confirmed on Wednesday night (27 August) following the conclusion of the final game of the home and away season – Gold Coast SUNS v Essendon.

“Ticket on-sales will commence from Friday 29 August.”

HOW THE AFL FINALS SYSTEM WORKS

The winners of the two qualifying finals advance to host the two preliminary finals, while two teams are eliminated each week until the Grand Final.

The loser of the First Qualifying Final (1st vs 4th) hosts the winner of the First Elimination Final (5th vs 8th) in the First Semi Final.

The loser of the Second Qualifying Final (2nd vs 3rd) hosts the winner of the Second Elimination Final (6th vs 7th) in the Second Semi Final.

The winner of the First Qualifying Final (1st vs 4th) hosts the winner of the Second Semi Final (2nd, 3rd, 6th or 7th) in the First Preliminary Final.

The winner of the Second Qualifying Final (2nd vs 3rd) hosts the winner of the First Semi Final (1st, 4th, 5th or 8th) in the Second Preliminary Final.

The winners of the two Preliminary Finals face off in the 2025 AFL Grand Final.