North Melbourne will take on rivals Essendon in 2027's Gather Round, the AFL revealed on Monday morning.

The Round 4 fixture will be at Norwood Oval on Sunday, April 11 at 12pm local time (12.30pm AEST).

Gather Round will again bring all 18 clubs together in South Australia, coinciding with school holidays across the country, with matches played at Adelaide Oval, Norwood Oval and Barossa Park.

Adelaide and reigning premiers the Brisbane Lions will open Gather Round at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.

Friday will feature the inaugural Players Parade, bringing together players from across the clubs ahead of the night’s match at Adelaide Oval with Collingwood taking on the Sydney Swans.

Tickets for the match go on sale via Ticketek on Wednesday, December 9 for club members and AFL members from 10.30am AEDT.

General public tickets will be available on Thursday, December 10 from 10.30am AEDT.

GATHER ROUND FIXTURE

Sunday, April 11
Essendon v North Melbourne at Norwood Oval, 12pm ACST