The Gold Coast SUNS and Essendon are set to bring an end to the 2025 Australian Football League home-and-away season in Round 24 at the People First Stadium in Gold Coast.
With eight victories in the first ten games of the season, the Suns enjoyed a strong start to the season. But after a disheartening run of three defeats, they have bounced back, winning six of their next seven games.
However, two straight losses in the previous two games of the home-and-away season has now put them ninth, and in need of a win in the last game if they want knockout football by beating the Western Bulldogs to the Top Eight as the two sides sit level on points, with the side from Footscray currently leading thanks to their superior Points Percentage.
Essendon have had a torrid time in the 2025 home-and-away season as they have managed to take just six wins alongside their 16 losses heading into their final AFL game of the season. They are currently on a run of 12 games without winning and will be hoping to break the duck in their final game and end the SUNS' dream of making it to the Finals Series.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times, and the latest lineup news.
Gold Coast vs. Essendon free live stream, free-to-air channel
- Live Stream: Kayo, Foxtel, 7plus
- TV Channel: Fox Footy
- Free-to-air: Channel 7
Kayo, 7plus and Foxtel are providing both live and catch-up coverage of the match. The clash will also be available to watch on Fox Footy and Channel 7.
Fans can stream Gold Coast vs. Essendon on Kayo which is currently offering a free trial for new subscribers so you can essentially watch this game and others this week for free. The match will also be streamed on the AFL website.
Gold Coast vs. Essendon start time
- Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
- Start Time: 7:20 p.m. AEST
- Venue & Location: People First Stadium, Gold Coast
The AFL Round 24 game between the Gold Coast SUNS and Essendon will be played on Wednesday, August 27, at 7:20 p.m. AEST.
It will be played at the People First Stadium in Gold Coast, Queensland.
Here's how that kick-off time translates to the various Australian time zones:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Australian Eastern Standard Time | Wednesday, August 27 | 7:20 p.m. |
| Australian Central Standard Time | Wednesday, August 27 | 6:50 p.m. |
| Australian Western Standard Time | Wednesday, August 27 | 5:20 p.m. |
AFL 2025 fixture schedule this week
Wednesday, August 27
| Fixture | Venue | Time (AEST) | TV/Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast SUNS vs. Essendon | People First Stadium | 7:20 p.m. | Channel 7, Fox/Kayo |