The 2026 AFL Season is almost here and we're opening the show this Thursday night in a clash with Carlton. Don't miss out on all the celebrations pre-game with Sydney Swans HQ set to be pumping, the return of The March, and activities and competitions along Driver Avenue.
Plan your night below.
Sydney Swans v Carlton
Thursday, March 5 - SCG
Sydney Swans HQ Bar open: 4:00pm
Gates open: 5:30pm
Ball up: 7:30pm
Match Day Partner: QBE Insurance
This season marks 40 years of QBE Insurance supporting the Sydney Swans, one of the longest and most enduring partnerships in Australian sport. From historic moments to the rise of the AFLW team, the journey has reflected our shared values of resilience and community. We are proud to celebrate this milestone and continue the story with members and fans.
Sydney Swans HQ - Game Day Starts Here
Pre-Game: Reception and the Locker Room by Swanshop open from 10am; Bar open from 4pm
Post-Game: the Locker Room by Swanshop and Bar open for 90 minutes after the final siren
- MC Luke Jacobz to interview present players
- Airbrush tattoos
- Plate it Forward Kitchen: Kabul Chicken Rolls $15, Sausage Sizzle $6
- Jim Beam cocktails and $10 cans pre-match, Bird in Hand wines, Tooheys beer and Pepsi soft drinks
- Watch the players warm up on the indoor field
- Lucky door prizes
- DJ
THE MARCH
Plus, one of our most-loved game day traditions is making a return for Opening Night with players and coaches set to March from Sydney Swans HQ to the SCG on Thursday Night from 6:15pm (timings subject to change).
Gather outside our home and along Driver Avenue to cheer on the team as they make their way to the stadium.
Driver Avenue
TICKETING INFORMATION
Members, to access your mobile member tickets, please visit the Sydney Swans App. For more information, visit here. To refresh your tickets, please logout of your account and log back in.
MEMBER PACK COLLECTION
If you have chosen to include a member pack with your 2026 membership, now is your chance to collect. Please download your member pack collection pass to your digital wallet – this has been sent to you via email and SMS.
You will be able to collect your pack from the Membership Marquee on Driver Avenue from 4.30pm and Sydney Swans HQ. For more information, visit here.
MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT
Membership Support will be available on match day at Sydney Swans HQ and Box Office 2 (next to Gate B). Membership Support will be available from 5.30pm and will close at the end of the first quarter break.
ACTIVITIES AND GIVEAWAYS
Join us on Driver Avenue for plenty of fun with a host of activations from our partners.
Get ready to turn up the volume at the Swans DJ Booth! Proudly presented by QBE Insurance and celebrating an incredible 40 years of partnership, this is the ultimate match day vibe zone. Swing by to soak up the energy, enjoy pumping tunes, and feel the red and white spirit come alive before the first ball up.
Don’t forget to pick-up your Volkswagen Clap Banner on entry to the game and remember to hold it up at half-time to win! This year each home game our winner will receive a $500 Ticketek Experiences Voucher.
Stand shoulder-to-shoulder with your favourite Swans. Snap a pic with a giant Swans guernseys alongside life-size cut outs of Isaac Heeney, Callum Mills, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Errol Gulden Tom Papley and Swans new recruit Charlie Curnow thanks to realestate.com.au.
Take a spin at our McDonald's Plinko board and see where your chip lands! You could win an AFL‑inspired Happy Meal toy or even better score a set of fun Crocs Jibbitz.
Can you guess how many mini-AFL balls are in the bitcoin? Scan the QR code and guess correctly and win a $250 bitcoin.com.au voucher and a $250 Swanshop voucher.
Transport for NSW Red Road is a striking visual display to showcase the risks of driving when distracted. Did you know you are driving blind for 33 meters when you look at your phone for two seconds while driving at 60km/h?
Capture the moment with the Ray White player cut-out and make sure you snap a photo like you’re part of the team.
Test your footy skills at Adora Fertility's Handball Challenge. Step up, aim and see if you’ve got what it takes to top the leaderboard. The highest score of the day will win an awesome prize – don’t miss your shot.
SYDNEY SWANS FAN ZONE
Head to the Sydney Swans Fan Zone on Driver Avenue to collect exclusive player cards, your 2026 team poster and check out our new badge designs.
In the SCG
PRE-GAME
Head inside the SCG early and take your seats by 7:15pm for a moment silence for the Bondi tragedy and say thank you to our local heroes.
QUARTER TIME
To celebrate 40 incredible years of partnership, QBE Insurance is giving away 40 personalised guernseys to 40 lucky Sydney Swans fans at quarter time. Each guernsey will be customised especially for the winners — a one-of-a-kind keepsake to mark four decades of shared history, passion and pride. It’s our way of saying thank you to the Red and White faithful who’ve been part of the journey every step of the way.
THREE QUARTER TIME
One lucky Sydney Swans fan will go head-to-head with a rising star from the QBE Sydney Swans Academy in an on-field kicking challenge. The Academy athlete will send the footy downfield — and with every clean mark taken, the stakes get higher. Each successful catch raises vital funds for the QBE Sydney Swans Academy, while the fan walks away with the same amount in cash:
- 10m = $100
- 20m = $200
- 30m = $300
Can't make it to the match?
Tune into the game on Channel 7, Kayo or Fox Footy.
