The AFL’s love affair with Carlton is once again continuing in 2026 with the Victorian team now set to open Gather Round in South Australia with a clash against the Adelaide Crows .

It is an extraordinary show of faith in the Blues who missed out on the finals this year but have now been booked for the first game of the season in Opening Round (against Sydney) and have just been handed a prime-time slot for Gather Round.

Of course, throw in to that mix Carlton’s traditional Thursday night slot against Richmond in Round 1, and that is three prized spots they’ve already been granted ahead of the official 2026 fixture release.

Carlton have not won a grand final since 1995 and not appeared in a grand final this century ... but they are regularly backed in by the fixture gurus at AFL H

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