AFL NSW/ACT Welcomes 2010 Toyota AFL Fixture

AFL NSW/ACT has today welcomed the 2010 fixture for the Sydney Swans homes games next season. In a slightly changed format this year, NSW football fans will see three blockbuster matches at ANZ stadium, along with four Saturday afternoon games, two Sunday afternoon games and two night matches at the SCG. The season will kick off on Saturday March 27 when 2009 finals contenders St Kilda meet the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium.

"AFL NSW/ ACT welcomes the 2010 fixture and believe that we have been able to provide a better balanced fixture for Sydney football fans," said Dale Homes, General Manager AFL NSW/ACT.

"We have three genuine blockbusters at ANZ Stadium against the reigning premiership side, the grand finalist and Collinwood which finished top four , which the AFL believes that sports lovers – not just Swans fans – will circle those games as major sporting events to go to.

"The ANZ matches also provide sports fan who do not generally travel to the SCG, the opportunity to get in to see some of the highest levels of football talent in the country.

"We have managed to secure a great spread of games at the SCG including more Saturday afternoon matches which has come around as a result of the terrific feedback about the Saturday afternoon games from Sydney Swans members and sports fans alike.

"School Holidays have also been factored into next season fixture to ensure that families can come to the football together really enjoy an afternoon out together, said Holmes.

ANZ Stadium welcomes the allocation of the Swans’ best three home games against Collingwood, Geelong and St Kilda. "These games will be major events on the Sydney sporting calendar in 2010 and from a footy perspective they truly deserve the billing as blockbusters," said ANZ Stadium Managing Director Daryl Kerry.

"We’re delighted our very successful relationship with the Swans and the AFL enters its ninth year with all the partners committed to making the Swans’ big matches at ANZ Stadium even bigger."

Also pleased with the 2010 fixture was Sydney Swans Chief Executive Andrew Ireland,

Following the release of the 2010 AFL Home and Away fixture today, the Sydney Swans are pleased to be playing 11 home games in 2010 - eight games at the SCG and three games at ANZ Stadium, including a blockbuster season-opener against St Kilda.

This represents a change from the seven-four split of recent seasons, however the Club feels this change provides the right balance for the NSW market.

"We feel the 2010 fixture presents the right balance for Swans members as well as AFL fans in Sydney," Club Chief Executive Andrew Ireland said.

Sydney Swans Season Fixture 2010 (for full fixture please visit afl.com.au)