Gold Coast will play only one AFL game in Darwin next season, while Melbourne will continue with its one game in Alice Springs, the newly released league fixture shows, but the Finocchiaro Government has not acknowledged the loss of the game or said how the change affects the total it is paying the Queensland team to come to the Territory.

Next year, Melbourne will play the Adelaide Crows at Traeger Park Oval in Alice Springs in Round 7 on May 1, while Gold Coast will meet Carlton at Marrara Stadium in Darwin in Round 10 on May 23.

Darwin has had two AFL premiership-season games each year since 2020, and there were also two games a year in the city in earlier years.

In her press release announcing the NT games, Tourism and Hospitality and Major Events Minister Marie-Clare Boothby did not mention that the Suns would play one fewer game next year or mention how much the government was paying.

In a press release on June 13, the government said it would spend $9 million over three years on AFL matches starting next year. But in April, SEN radio reported that the Suns had asked the NT Government last year to return to playing only one game in Darwin in 2026, but the government held them to their contract for two games.

On June 9, journalist Caroline Wilson also reported on Channel 7’s Agenda Setters program that Melbourne no longer wanted to play in Alice Springs but might consider playing one game in Darwin instead.

AFL NT head Sam Gibson said the Territory games promised high-quality match-ups for football fans in both Darwin and Alice Springs.

“Carlton’s return to Darwin is a fantastic opportunity for Top End fans to see one of the competition’s biggest sporting clubs at TIO Stadium, while Melbourne’s longstanding connection with Alice Springs continues with what shapes as another great contest at TIO Traeger Park against the Adelaide Crows,” Mr Gibson said.

“Territorians have a deep connection with our game, and we thank the Northern Territory government for their continued support in bringing AFL football to Territory fans.”

Ms Boothby said the games highlighted the government’s commitment to bringing elite sporting events to the region while boosting economic benefits for local businesses and communities.

“2026 was an incredible year for sport and events in the Territory, and next year we already have a jam-packed calendar, with massive AFL fixtures set to attract thousands of visitors to the Territory from all over the country,” Ms Boothby said.

The government has also paid to host the AFLW Dreamtime match between Richmond and Essendon in Darwin over the past three years at an undisclosed cost.