Who: Brisbane Lions vs Western Bulldogs
Where: The Gabba
When: Saturday 7 March at 6:35pm (local).
Gates Open: 5:00pm, check your ticket for your entry gate.
Entry Conditions: Please read here

Weekly Notices

Flag Unfurl → The celebration starts before the bounce, and we don’t want you to miss a second of it. Please be in your seat by 6pm to experience it live!

Tickets 

Tickets → Tickets are on sale here. You can still become a digital member today! This is a fully ticketed match and there is no General Admission seating for Opening Round. General Admission members are required to upgrade to a Reserved Seat at a discounted rate for match access.

AreaVIP → Sit like a Fan. Feel like a VIP. 

GG → I’m best served in groups and I’m waiting for you to have your next Instagram-able moment. I’m doing footy a little differently and G, I think you’re going to like me.

The Youi Fan House → (Formally the Verandah) The Youi Fan House is a refreshed matchday destination at the Gabba, combining a great atmosphere with a new look and feel. Designed with modern touches and nods to Fitzroy and Brisbane Bears heritage, it brings Lions history to life. From iconic memorabilia to prime viewing and BBQ food options, the Youi Fan House delivers an immersive matchday experience unlike anywhere else at the Gabba. 

Premiership Lounge → Offers a luxurious setting to reinvigorate, relax and revel in the golden days of old and new before, during, and after the goosebump-enducing action on field. 

Around the Grounds

Lion Park →  Located outside Gate 2 starting from 3:30pm.  The kids will enjoy rock climbing, face painting, and a temporary tattoo station! We will have popups from partners such as Triple M, McDonalds. AFLQ will be set up with fun games alongside a Lions shop popup and much more to explore. 

Hyundai → Skill tester, powered by the Hyundai IONIQ. Hyundai Wingspan Wall inside Gate 2 – see how you measure up against players with the Hyundai Wingspan Wall located inside Gate 2 at the Gabba.

Member Walls → Thanks to the Official Partner of Footy Fans, Youi is highlighting 2026 Season Members at Section 239 (Blue Wall), Gate 7 Entrance (Above PWD Ramp), Section 210 (Beside verandah), Section 216, Section 217, and Section 227. Make sure you snap a pic with your name!

Food & Drinks → Gabba food and beverage outlets will be open on all levels and gates.

Lions Shop → Our main shop is located near Gate 2, open from 10:00am - late. We will also have a pop up set up in Lions Park from 3:30pm for you to get your merch fix! Gates 2 and 9 are open from when gates open until 10min after first siren. Gate 4, Upper 7, Upper 4 are open from when gates open until 3/4 time. 

Opening Round Runsheet:

10:00am: Lions Shop Opens
3:30pm: Lion Park  
5:00pm: Public Gates
TBCpm: On-field Warmup
TBCpm: Lions run out
6:35pm: Bounce
QTR Time: Brooke's Blooms activation
HALF Time: Auskick, Youi Community Champion
3/4 Time: XXXX Handball Challenge - Nominate yourself now!
POST Game: Maccas Footballs giveaway, player interviews, Kick 2 Kick.

How to get to The Gabba

Trains & Buses → Read the Event Guide from Translink here. The easiest way to get to The Gabba. Your event ticket entitles you to TRAVEL FREE to and from matches, on the Queensland Rail City Network (excluding Airtrain). Brisbane City Council buses or a special event shuttle service from 4 hours prior to the event.

Remember to always plan your trip: Plan ahead with the Journey Planner →

Parking → There is no public parking at The Gabba. Fifteen minute parking limits apply across most of The Gabba Traffic Area on event days – we strongly recommend taking advantage of the public transport options. Find out more about parking restrictions around The Gabba on the Brisbane City Council website. 

Accessible Parking → An accessibility drop off zone is located near Gate 5 on Linton Street (near Duke St). There is limited accessibility parking across from Gate 5 on Duke St – you will require a PWD permit to access this area and is first in, first served. For all PWD and accessibility information, please visit The Gabba's accessibility page.

Drop Off/Pick Up → Due to road closures and changed traffic conditions we strongly recommend catching public transport to The Gabba, however should you wish to be dropped off or picked up this can be facilitated via designated drop off points just a short walk from the venue on either Princess Street, Potts Street or Hubert Street. Ask your lift legend to type Princess Street, Potts Street or Hubert Street into their navigation. 

Bike, Scooter & Walking → Bike and walking paths are available to access the stadium, snag an e-bike or e-scooter from the City or South Brisbane to get to The Gabba.

Broadcast

Watch → Stream live on Fox Footy & Kayo from 6:35pm AEST. Watch free-to-air on 7 and 7mate on a delay, commencing at 8pm.

The Western Bulldogs have kicked seven final-quarter goals to pull off a pulsating five-point win over two-time premiers Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night. 

Trailing by 26 points late in the third quarter, the Dogs were teetering but finished full of running to win 16.15 (111) to 15.16 (106).

Ed Richards was colossal for the victors, finishing with two goals from his 30 disposals that included 16 score involvements. 

In a match that continued to raise in intensity the further it went, there were five lead changes in a thrilling fourth quarter, before Tim English put the Dogs in front for the final time after a gut-busting run allowed him to mark the ball 20m from goal.

Kai Lohmann had a late chance to level the scores, but his hurried snap went wide.

Marcus Bontempelli kicked three goals in another wonderful outing, while Rory Lobb stood tall in his 200th career game, thwarting Brisbane’s aerial attacks when they came in his direction. 

Connor Budarick was also exceptional in his first game in the red, white and blue, generating plenty of run from half-back.

Brisbane will be disappointed to lose, generating 63 inside 50s to 50, but didn’t do too much wrong.

Charlie Cameron kicked four goals and looks back to his absolute best, while Harris Andrews and Ryan Lester won the ball back repeatedly in the back half.

Andrews could find himself in hot water with the MRO though, following a third-quarter incident that left young Dog Arthur Jones concussed.

Following an arm-wrestle of a first half where both teams struggled to break free of the opposition shackles, things opened up after the main break.

Brisbane appeared to blow the even contest open midway through the third quarter, going on a run of five goals that included two from crowd favourite Lohmann, to lead by 26 points.

But the Dogs would not be denied.

Sam Darcy and Bailey Williams kicked goals to get within striking range at the final change, and after English, Rhylee West and Richards kicked truly early in the last, suddenly the visitors were in front.

Harris Andrews could be in MRO strife
Brisbane’s co-captain will have a nervous few days after a third-quarter incident left Bulldog Arthur Jones concussed. Andrews spoiled the ball in a marking contest on the wing, and while trying to get back to his feet, threw his left arm back in the direction of Jones. His elbow hit the small forward in the head, knocking him out and forcing Jones from the field for the rest of the game.

McCluggage suffers calf injury
The Lions lasted just 20 minutes with their full complement of players after All-Australian midfielder Hugh McCluggage went down with a left calf injury during the first term. Nine days earlier in the AAMI Community Series match against Gold Coast, the Victorian failed to finish the game with a cork to the same calf.

ZZ straight to the top
Brisbane debutant Zane Zakostelsky got on the scoreboard early in his first match for the Lions. Selected as a support ruck to Darcy Fort, ‘ZZ’ drifted inside 50 to take a chest mark from a Jarrod Berry kick. His 30m set shot at goal became a certainty after Tom Liberatore knocked the ball away following a mark, resulting in a 50m penalty and goal from the square.

BRISBANE            3.1     6.7     12.9  15.16 (106)
WESTERN BULLDOGS     2.7          5.10  9.14  16.15 (111)

GOALS
Brisbane: Cameron 4, Morris 3, Lohmann 2, Zorko, Zakostelsky, Bailey, Allen, Fort, Rayner
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli 3, Darcy 2, Richards 2, Naughton 2, English 2, Williams, West, Davidson, Budarick, Bramble

BEST
Brisbane: Cameron, Andrews, Reville, Lester, Neale, Zorko
Western Bulldogs: Richards, Bontempelli, Lobb, Liberatore, Budarick, Williams

INJURIES
Brisbane: McCluggage (calf)
Western Bulldogs: Jones (concussion)

Crowd: 31,606 at the Gabba