CARLTON'S 2027 season will begin with Saturday afternoon footy against Richmond at the MCG.

It is the traditional rival in the first round of the season, with a different feel to what footy fans have experienced most years since 2008.

Since the inaugural season-opening clash between these two sides 18 years ago, over a million Blues, Tigers and even neutral footy fans have made the annual pilgrimage to the MCG in their droves for what has been the traditional Round 1 fixture - attracting an average crowd over this time of more than 79,000.

The 2027 instalment will see a change up from Thursday night to 12:35pm Saturday at the home of football, the atmosphere set to be just as electric.

This will be the first time since Round 21, 2013 that the Blues and Tigers will meet at any point in a season on a Saturday afternoon.

With confirmation today that the Blues will begin their season with an away game on 20 March against the Tigers, the rest of the 2027 AFL fixture is set to be released later this week.

Round 1

Opponent: Richmond (A)
Date: Saturday 20 March, 2026
Time: 12:35pm local time (1:35pm AEST)
Venue: MCG