The AFL has confirmed the pre-season fixture for next year, with the GIANTS set to host the Gold Coast Suns in a red-hot clash at Manuka Oval.

The GIANTS will prepare for an exciting 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership season as they turn up the heat on the final day of summer against Damien Hardwick and his new-look Suns in Canberra on Thursday, February 29 at 7:10pm AEDT.

The exciting match-up will not only be the first official hit out for the Suns’ new head coach, but the first time that former Port Adelaide premiership teammates Adam Kingsley and Damien Hardwick face off as head coaches.

The exciting match with the Suns is part of the 2024 AFL Community Series which will feature all 18 clubs taking part in official practice matches between February 27 and March 3 at venues across the country.

All club and AFL members, as well as all kids, can attend the Community Series matches for free.

Meanwhile, tickets for the General Public will go on sale in February.

The 2024 AFL Community Camps, which sees clubs visit regional communities around the country, will coincide with the clash against the Suns, with the GIANTS to host clinics at clubs and schools across the Canberra region from Wednesday, February 28 to Friday, March 1.

The AFL Community Series will be consistent with regular season matches in length, playing four quarters of 20 minutes plus time on. While each club will feature a playing squad of 30 players, with eight on the interchange bench as well as four emergencies.

There will be no interchange cap in the matches.

All 2024 AFL Community Series matches will be broadcast live on Fox Footy and Kayo.

As part of their pre-season preparations, all AFL clubs will also have the opportunity to participate in an optional simulation training session prior to the AFL Community Series.

As currently scheduled, the GIANTS will take on the Swans a week prior to the match-up with the Suns, taking on their crosstown rival on Thursday, February 22 at Tramway Oval at 10am AEDT.