The 2026 NAB AFLW fixture has been released, with all six Fremantle home games to be played at Cockburn ARC Oval, marking the first time in the Club’s history that AFLW premiership matches will be played at the ground.
The venue has hosted pre-season AFLW matches previously, but the Club’s opening Round 1 clash against Port Adelaide on Sunday 16 August will mark the first official match for premiership points at the ground.
The Club revealed its masterplan on Wednesday to redevelop Cockburn ARC Oval to become a dedicated AFLW venue in a three-stage approach to include greater spectator seating and an indoor training facility by 2029.
The decision to host games at Cockburn aligns with the growth of the women’s competition and ensures dedicated high-performance facilities for our athletes.
Fremantle’s opportunity to gain a new home ground advantage this season is one General Manager of Women’s Football Claire Heffernan is excited about.
“Shifting AFLW games to Cockburn this year is significant for our program,” Heffernan said.
“To have access to elite preparation and recovery facilities and dedicated playing surface, means our program has the best environment to get the most out of our players on game day.
“We look forward to the Purple Army doing what they do best, getting right behind us to help make this a new fortress for the Club.”
Rounds 3 and 4 mark the AFLW Indigenous Rounds, when Fremantle will be known as the Walyalup Football Club to celebrate First Nations heritage and culture.
The Round 3 fixture is a home game on Sunday 30 August at 3.05pm, while the Round 4 fixture against Richmond at Ikon Park on Sunday 6 September will be part of a women’s double header.
Back-to-back home games at Cockburn ARC Oval follow in Rounds 5 and 6 as the Club takes on Essendon on Sunday 13 September at 3.05pm and the Western Bulldogs on Saturday 19 September at 1.05pm.
The Round 8 Western Derby against West Coast will be an away fixture at Leederville Oval on Sunday 4 October at 2.05pm.
The AFLW Pride Rounds run across Rounds 9 and 10, with every club hosting one game each. Fremantle’s home Pride Round fixture is Round 10 against St Kilda on Sunday 18 October at 2.05pm at Cockburn ARC Oval.
Heffernan believes the connection of the playing group and the shift to day training this pre-season has been crucial in setting the playing group up for a strong season.
