Adelaide will host the first ever Friday night Showdown with South Australian footy’s biggest rivalry set for a marquee time slot.
The AFL has announced Showdown 51 will be played under lights at Adelaide Oval in Round 3 on April 1.
The game will start at 7.50pm ACDT and may be part of a Friday night double header, with the League expected to confirm details of the 2022 fixture at lunch time on Thursday.
Every Showdown since the inaugural clash between the Crows and Port Adelaide in 1997 has been played on either a Saturday or Sunday.
Crows CEO Tim Silvers said the Club had been in talks with the League for over a month.
“After joining the club it did not take me long to work out these games are as big and intense as any rivalry in the competition,” Silvers said.
“Getting a coveted Friday night time slot has been one of our priorities with this fixture.
“It’s a win for our Members, as well as our fans and the wider South Australian football community.
“Hopefully Adelaide Oval’s capacity returns to what were normal levels prior to the pandemic and it’s a full house."
Adelaide will open the 2022 season against Fremantle at home on Sunday, March 20 at 3.40pm ACDT.
In other fixture news, the Crows will also play the Western Bulldogs at Mars Stadium in Ballarat as part of the ANZAC Appeal Round in Round 6 on Saturday, April 23 at 1.15pm ACST.
