The AFL today announced the fixture for the 2016 NAB Challenge, which will see all 18 teams play three matches across a four-week stretch between February 18 and Sunday March 13.
As part of the NAB Challenge Brisbane Lions will play St Kilda in Mackay on Sunday March 6 next year.
The Moreton Bay Region will get a third consecutive pre-season match with the Lions v Gold Coast SUNS game set for Burpengary on Sunday February 21.
AFL General Manager – Broadcasting, Scheduling and Major Projects Simon Lethlean said the AFL was delighted the NAB Challenge continues to take our game across the country to regional and suburban grounds that don’t normally host AFL football during the regular premiership season.
“The support of NAB, by taking our games in the pre-season away from the major metropolitan venues, enables our game to strengthen its roots in the community,” Mr Lethlean said.
“As the game continues to grow in North Queensland, we are delighted to bring football to Mackay.”
In a continuation of the initiative introduced for the 2015 NAB Challenge, AFL club members with game access will be entitled to attend next year’s NAB Challenge matches free of charge.
All 27 matches in the pre-season would be exclusively broadcast on television live by Fox Footy, and in addition, every match will also be made available live to fans via the AFL Live App.
National Australian Bank’s Acting Chief Marketing Officer, Michael Nearhos, said NAB was pleased to continue its long-standing support of the AFL through the NAB Challenge.
“Together with the AFL, we’re committed to growing the game and we’re delighted to support the NAB Challenge for the 11th consecutive year,” Mr Nearhos said.
“It provides us with an exciting opportunity to bring the game to fans and this year is no exception, with matches taking place in all corners of the country.
“Fans in regional communities, including Mackay and Mt Barker, will witness matches in their home town for the very first time and there’s no doubt they’ll be pleased to see Australia’s game, at the elite level, heading their way.
Mr Lethlean said every match across the opening three weeks would be played at regional or suburban venues, while the fourth and final week would see matches staged at metropolitan AFL venues to optimise team preparations ahead of the Premiership Season.
Full fixture at http://www.afl.com.au/fixture/nab-challenge
