Days after the NRL announced plans for a Global Round, they AFL has attempted to strike back with global superstar Ed Sheeran rumoured to be performing at their Opening Round.
With Opening Round only occurring in NSW and Queensland the first two seasons, the AFL is set to introduce a Melbourne-based fixture with St Kilda speculated to want to host Collingwood at the MCG on the Sunday night before Victoria's Labour Day holiday.
This would allow thousands of visitors to the Melbourne Formula 1 Grand Prix on Sunday March 8 the ability to attend an AFL match in Melbourne later that evening.
Ex-Carlton and Brisbane star Brendan Fevola has revealed he has heard 'word' that St Kilda fan Sheeran could be performing at the Saints' season opener versus Collingwood.
MORE: AFL fine-tunes seven controversial rules in a bid to reduce 'dead time' for the 2026 season
"The fixture for the 2026 AFL Season comes out in about two weeks, and I have it on good authority that they’re doing Opening Round again," Fevola said on The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick.
"Last year, they wanted the interstate teams to have the limelight. But this time they’re going to involve a big Melbourne club and another club; that’s a destination club because a lot of players have gone there this year…"
Fevola continued: "St Kilda. They’re not a big club, but they’re a destination club. Now, they’re going to play on the weekend of the Grand Prix.
"There will be a lot of tourists and visitors in Melbourne. It’ll be a Sunday night Twilight game after the Grand Prix finishes; they’ll play at the MCG.
"One of the biggest superstars is also going to be in town… Ed Sheeran.
"Ed Sheeran is playing in Melbourne that weekend at Marvel. He’s a massive St Kilda supporter, [he was] best mates with Shane Warne, who loved St Kilda, [Michael] Gudinski loved St Kilda.
"So, word is that Ed Sheeran will open the AFL premiership season and do a concert before the game. He will get on stage at the MCG, sing a couple of songs, and he will play before Collingwood and St Kilda.
"With the Formula One on and all the tourists, [they’re expecting] 100,000 people at the MCG."