Adelaide will start its 2016 home game schedule with a Showdown against Port Adelaide.
It will be the first time the Crows have played the opening home game of a season against their South Australian rivals.
This Round Two Saturday afternoon clash on April 2 will kick off the Crows’ third season at Adelaide Oval.
The 2016 home venue calendar also features a Thursday night game against North Melbourne, a Friday night game against Geelong and four Saturday night clashes, including Indigenous Round.
Adelaide’s first season under new coach Don Pyke begins against Preliminary Finalists North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, on March 26. It will be the first of nine Saturday night games for the Crows in 2016.
Another feature of Adelaide’s ‘away’ program is the showcase opening game of the Anzac Day weekend against 2015 premiers Hawthorn, under lights at the MCG on Friday, April 22.
This will be one of three Crows games at the MCG in the minor round, with the other two played back-to-back against Melbourne and Carlton in rounds 15 and 16.
Adelaide will play three 2015 finalists twice next season – West Coast, Fremantle and North Melbourne. The Crows’ other double-up games are against Port and Geelong.
Travel with be restricted to three States. Adelaide will play seven games in Victoria (six in Melbourne, one in Geelong), two in Perth and one in Queensland.
Crows Chief Executive Officer Andrew Fagan said the fixture has delivered a great outcome for the Club and its supporters.
“Our key requests have been met and we are happy with the result,” Fagan said.
“Importantly, there are plenty of positives for our fans and the fixture also supports our commercial objectives.
“We play quality opposition across a mix of time slots which I'm confident will be well supported by Crows members and supporters.
“Thursday night football was a great success for us this season so we are pleased that we have been rewarded again in 2016.
“Similarly, the team has been recognised for their exciting footy last year with 12 night games across the season. A highlight will be the Friday night clash against Geelong, which will be massive for a variety of reasons, but there are blockbusters right across our 11 home games.
“We are also excited to kick off the Anzac Day Round against defending premiers Hawthorn on the national stage at the ‘G on a Friday night.
“It was important to the Club that we continued to host a match during Indigenous Round, given the way it has been embraced by our supporters at Adelaide Oval over the past two seasons.
“And from an on-field perspective, we are also pleased to be playing more games in Melbourne, including three at the MCG.”
Adelaide finishes the minor round at home, hosting West Coast Eagles.
The bye is in Round 13 after playing a Saturday night game in Perth against West Coast and leading into the Thursday night clash with North Melbourne.
All matches will be broadcast on Seven or 7Mate in Adelaide and nationally live on Foxtel.
