AFL Fixture 2024: Friday night footy will start earlier next season

The AFL and Channel 7 have come to terms on a new deal that will see the Friday night footy timeslot of 7.50pm become a thing of the past. Here are the exclusive details.

Friday night football will start 10 minutes earlier next season in a win for footy fans.

In a deal struck between the AFL and Channel 7 on Thursday afternoon, Friday night games will start at 7.40pm in 2024.

It is certain to be welcome news to footy fans who have been calling on the league to start Friday night footy earlier to ensure more people watch the biggest game of the week.

It also helps get families home earlier after the match concludes.

Geelong’s Tom Atkins chase Tiger star Dustin Martin on Friday night in round 9 last year. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Friday night footy has kicked off at 7.50pm in recent years and been unpopular with fans who have called for an earlier first bounce.

The deal was signed off only hours before the 2024 AFL fixture release.

It is another big win for new chief executive Andrew Dillon who has also increased the football department soft cap, delivered a boost for northern-states clubs in the four-game ‘Opening Round’, and will hold a key meeting with club stakeholders on Sunday night on the eve of the national draft.

wever, Thursday night footy will start 10 minutes later in 2024.

As part of the deal with the host broadcaster, Thursday night games will start at 7.30pm, instead of 7.20pm next season.

It is one of the key positives from the AFL 2024 fixture to be released on Thursday afternoon at 3.30pm.