2026 is shaping up to be another big year in the brown and gold, with Hawthorn’s AFL and AFLW teams looking to play finals for a third straight year. 

As well as exciting seasons on the horizon for Box Hill’s VFL and VFLW teams and Hawthorn’s AFL Blind and Wheelchair AFL sides, there are many things to look forward to if you’re a Hawks fan. 

We’ve narrowed it down to just six for 2026, but tell us what we missed! 

New players in new numbers 

As announced earlier this month, four players will be wearing new numbers in 2026. 

Nick Watson has switched from 34 to the coveted number 5, Connor Macdonald has swapped from 31 to the prestigious number 9, while Calsher Dear will wear his late father Paul’s number 13, with Dylan Moore making way and now wearing the number 8.

Along with draftees Cameron Nairn in the number 22, Aidan Schubert donning the number 29, Matt LeRay in the number 31, Jack Dalton wearing the number 34 and Ollie Greeves repping the number 35, there will be a host of players to get around in 2026 as they begin their new journeys. 

Stay tuned in the new year for new AFLW guernsey numbers. 

In need of a new number on your back as well in 2026? Head to HawksNest to get your new fit sorted for the new year! 

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Watson To Wear Number 5

We speak to the Wiz after he had received the Number 5 playing guernsey.

Draftees set to shine on the big stage 

There will be a host of new faces to become familiar with in 2026, with Cameron Nairn, Aidan Schubert, Matt LeRay, Jack Dalton, Ollie Greeves, Maya Dear and Hannah Looney all joining the Club over the off-season. 

We’re sure many Hawks fans will be eagerly waiting to see if these players will make their debuts in 2026, especially with Dear being the Club’s first father-daughter pick. 

To find out more information about our draftees, CLICK HERE. 

A MASSIVE suite of home games 

Hawthorn members and fans will be treated to a host of exciting home games in 2026.

The first block of games is headlined by a massive Thursday night home opener at the MCG in Round 2 when the Hawks host the Swans.

Just a few weeks later, the Hawks will go head-to-head with the Cats at the MCG for the traditional Easter Monday blockbuster in what shapes to be a mouth-watering re-match of the 2025 Preliminary Final.

The massive MCG home contests don’t finish there — with the Hawks set to do battle with the Dogs on a Friday night in Round 13.

Rounding out the home MCG contests are games against GWS, Essendon and Collingwood — setting the Hawks up for a thrilling run home when the remainder of the floating fixture is released by the AFL next year.

More details surrounding the Club's AFLW, VFL and VFLW fixtures will be made available in the new year. Stay tuned! 

Click the banner below to join the Hawks in 2026 and secure your place among the action! 

Full 2026 fixture: Hawks set to shine under lights

25 years in Tasmania 

Following a mammoth year of celebrating Hawthorn’s 100th year since entering the VFL/AFL, the Club will turn its attention to recognising its 25th year in Tasmania. 

Since playing its first game at UTAS Stadium in 2001, the Hawks have enjoyed a 76 per cent winning record at their fortress, making it an enjoyable place to come and watch the brown and gold.

Stay tuned for more news on how you can join in on the 25-year celebrations! 

BIG milestones! 

There are a host of big milestones to look forward to in 2026 across both AFL and AFLW. 

Among our AFL program, Jack Gunston is set to continue to reach incredible heights with 17 games to go until he plays his 300th game, while he needs to kick another 46 goals to reach the 600-goal mark. 

Potential 200-gamers include Blake Hardwick (currently on 198), Karl Amon (195), Tom Barrass (175), James Sicily (179), while Josh Battle is set for his 150th match in Opening Round. 

Potential 100-gamers include Connor Macdonald and Jack Ginnivan, who both currently sit on 90 matches, while Nick Watson and Cam Mackenzie currently sit on 43 games and are in line to make their 50th appearance for Hawthorn. 

Among our AFLW program, Emily Bates (currently on 96 games) and Kaitlyn Ashmore (91) are in line to play their 100th games, while Aileen Gilroy (currently on 70 games), Casey Sherriff (68) and Eliza West (63) could play their 75th matches in 2026. 

A host of inaugural Hawks are in contention to become the first to play 50 AFLW games for Hawthorn, including Tamara Smith (currently on 45), Aine McDonagh (44) and Jasmine Fleming (43). 

A full list of milestones to look out for can be found by clicking HERE.