The West Coast Eagles will play 23 matches in 2023 after the AFL on Friday confirmed all nine games of an additional round will be played in South Australia.

From Thursday, April 13 to Sunday, April 16 all 18 clubs will descend on the state in the first time an entire round has been played in the same location.

The concept extends the total number of rounds to 24 for next year. Each club will still receive one bye weekend.

Match-ups, timings and venues for round five in SA – which coincides with school holidays – will be confirmed upon release of the fixture after the NAB AFL Draft, which begins with the first-round picks on Monday, November 28.

Entry to the Eagles’ extra game in South Australia will be free for West Coast and AFL members. Tickets will go on sale once the 2023 season fixture is released.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said the competition would be open to move the concept around the country in future years.
 
“A round of footy all in one state is a fantastic initiative for our competition,” McLachlan said.

“We have had great interest from many of our partners in other states and we are open to take this concept around the country giving other states the chance to experience it.”