AFL ROUND 1 | HAWTHORN v ESSENDON
📅 Fri 14 Mar 2025 🕐 7.40pm AEDT 📍 MCG, Melbourne, VIC
...as Hawthorn hosts old rivals Essendon at the MCG under Friday night lights.
Hawks members and footy fans alike won't want to miss this one!
...as Hawthorn hosts old rivals Essendon at the MCG under Friday night lights.
Hawks members and footy fans alike won't want to miss this one!
Get to the game early to enjoy a pregame playlist curated by DJ Mass (Massimo D'Ambrosio), and a special 100 Years of Hawthorn centennial kick-off with Campbell Brown
Keep an eye out for our first Superhero Dash for Cash at quarter-time, KFC FLG Fan Challenge at three-quarter-time, and free Nature Valley samples post-game!
Our Round 1 game against Essendon is fully ticketed. Tickets for this match are available to members and the general public through Ticketek.
MCG Reserved Seat Holders
Melbourne reserved seat members have guaranteed entry. Scan your digital or physical cards as normal and sit in your allocated reserved seat.
🟡 Read more on Round 1 access for members
🟡 Find out how to access your digital membership card
Ponsford and Dunstall Club Members
This game is fully-ticketed, you must redeem a reserved seat ticket for no charge via Ticketek. Your membership card will not gain you general admission to this game.
To unlock your free ticket(s) head to the game's Ticketek page and first make a selection from the 'Date' drop-down. Enter your membership barcode in the provided text field and select 'Unlock Tickets', see example here.
🟡 Forgot your barcode? View your membership barcodes here
General Admission Members
Hawthorn General Admission members can upgrade to a Level 4 reserved seat at a reduced price of only $10*, an initiative that rewards the loyalty of the brown and gold faithful.
Alternatively, members can access a $0 standing-room ticket via Ticketek.
To unlock tickets and rates available through your membership, head to the game's Ticketek page and first make a selection from the 'Date' drop-down. Enter your membership barcode in the provided text field and select 'Unlock Tickets', see example here.
🟡 Forgot your barcode? View your membership barcodes here
Purchase tickets to our Friday night blockbuster via Ticketek.
Hawthorn believes that everyone deserves the right to a safe and enjoyable experience at the footy.
While we encourage your passionate and enthusiasm at our games, please be mindful of how your behaviour can impact others around you. The brown and gold army is the best in the league, let’s keep it that way and respect everyone’s right to enjoy the footy.
🟡 Additionally, read our member code of conduct
Your match ticket will identify which Gate you can enter through.
🟡 Be prepared, locate your Gate using this Yarra Park map
Don't miss a moment!
🎟️ 5.30 PM | Gates open |
🎧 PRE-GAME | Tracks curated by DJ Mass |
🏉 6.15 PM | Throwback footy quarter on the big screen |
🏆 7.10 PM | 100 Years of Hawthorn centennial kick-off and interview with Campbell Brown |
🕔 7.29 PM | Hawks team run onto ground (cheer loud!) |
🪙 7.38 PM | Coin toss |
🕔 7.40 PM | First bounce |
🏟️ 1/4 TIME | Superhero Dash for Cash |
🏟️ 1/2 TIME | AFL Auskick on the ground |
🏟️ 3/4 TIME | KFC FLG Fan Challenge |
🔔 FINAL SIREN | Post-game Nature Valley free samples |
See our FAQs below for general info on getting to the MCG.
A number of disruptions tied to Victoria's Big Build should be noted as you plan your journey to the MCG on Friday.
Train disruptions
Buses are replacing trains between Heidelberg and Eltham, so supporters from the Hurstbridge Line should allow extra time.
Road disruptions
The West Gate Freeway has inbound lane closures and ramp closures at Millers Road and Williamstown Road. Anyone driving from the west might need to plan ahead.
Flinders Street (eastbound) is closed between Elizabeth and Swanston streets, so city traffic might be a bit heavier.
The M80 Ring Road will be closed in both directions overnight from 10pm Friday to 7am Saturday between Boundary Road and the Western Freeway—less impact for the game itself but something to note for late-night travellers.