Essendon and Richmond will play Dreamtime matches in Boorloo / Perth in 2027 and 2028 in what is believed to be a multi-million dollar deal.

The clubs will retain the Dreamtime at the G, and play a second match against one another in both seasons, at Optus Stadium.

Dreamtime at the G has been extremely popular since its introduction in 2005 as part of league efforts to recognise and honour First Nations peoples and culture and the remarkable contribution Indigenous people have made to Australian Rules football, stretching back to its origins.

In 2021, Boorloo hosted a Dreamtime match between the Dons and Tigers during the COVID pandemic, drawing a crowd almost 56,000 fans. The city later hosted the grand final that year between Melbourne and the Bulldogs.

Dreamtime at the G will be held during Sir Doug Nicholls Round, while the match in Boorloo is likely to be held NAIDOC week in early July.

The Age first reported that the fixture had been locked in for 2027 and 2028.

National Indigenous Times understands a Dreamtime game in Boorloo may also be on the cards for 2029 as part of a deal worth as much as $6 million.

The Western Australian government has invested heavily in events aimed at drawing tourists to the state, with some critics contrasting the spend with the budget for Aboriginal community services, particularly in remote and regional communities.

Optus Stadium has been pursuing more AFL fixtures; hosting the State of Origin match early last year and buying two North Melbourne home games.