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Where to watch Essendon vs. Bulldogs: Free live stream, free-to-air channel, start time for AFL match

Saino Zachariah

Where to watch Essendon vs. Bulldogs: Free live stream, free-to-air channel, start time for AFL match image

The 2025 AFL season's Round 20 match sees the Essendon Bombers take on the Western Bulldogs on Friday night at Marvel Stadium.

Essendon sits 14th on the ladder with a 6-11 record and has no wins in their last five games. They are coming into this clash after a 56-104 defeat at the hands of the GWS Giants last week.

The Bombers have struggled with injuries this year and have never been able to make a genuine run for the finals spots.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are 10-8 in the season and sit close to the top right, just one win behind the finals spot. However, they have now lost back-to-back games against two contenders - a 98-109 loss to Adelaide and the latest being an 86-76 loss to Brisbane.

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.

Essendon vs. Bulldogs free live stream, free-to-air channel

  • Live Stream: Kayo, Foxtel
  • TV Channel: Fox Footy
  • Free-to-air: ---

Kayo Sports and Foxtel are providing both live and catch-up coverage of Friday's match. The clash will also be available on TV in Australia via Fox Footy.

Fans can stream Essendon vs. Bulldogs 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.

Essendon vs. Bulldogs start time

  • Date: Friday, July 25, 2025
  • Start Time: 7:20 p.m. AEST  
  • Venue & Location: Marvel Stadium

The AFL Round 20 game between Essendon Bombers and Western Bulldogs will be played on Friday, July 25, at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.

Here's how that kick-off time translates to the various Australian time zones:

 DateKickoff time
Australian Eastern Standard TimeFri, Jul. 257:20 p.m.
Australian Central Standard TimeFri, Jul. 256:50 p.m.
Australian Western Standard TimeFri, Jul. 255:20 p.m.

AFL 2025 fixture schedule this week

Thursday, July 24

FixtureVenueTime (AEST)TV/Livestream
Hawthorn vs. CarltonMCG7:30 p.m.Fox/Kayo, Binge

Friday, July 25

FixtureVenueTime (AEST)TV/Livestream
Essendon vs. BulldogsMarvel Stadium7:20 p.m.Fox/Kayo, Binge
GWS Giants vs. SydneyENGIE Stadium7:50 p.m.Channel 7, Fox Sports 3/Kayo

Saturday, July 26

FixtureVenueTime (AEST)TV/Stream
Gold Coast vs. BrisbanePeople First Stadium1:20 p.m.Fox/ Kayo
Fremantle vs. West CoastOptus Stadium4:15 p.m.Fox/ Kayo
North Melbourne vs. GeelongMarvel Stadium7:35 p.m.Fox/ Kayo
Adelaide vs. Port AdelaideAdelaide Oval8:10 p.m.Fox Sports 3/ Kayo

Sunday, July 27

FixtureVenueTime (AEST)TV/Stream
Richmond vs. CollingwoodMCG1:10 p.m.Fox/ Kayo
St. Kilda vs. MelbourneMarvel Stadium3:15 p.m.Seven Mate, Fox Sports 3/ Kayo

Saino Zachariah

Saino Zachariah is a content producer at The Sporting News, with a focus on cricket, AFL, NRL, and Indian sports.

His work has appeared in publications such as The Mirror UK & US, Irish Star, and Express where he has covered MLB, football, tennis, and basketball. 

Starting his journey through fantasy sports, he developed a keen eye for numbers and trends shaping the game's narrative. Despite a background in science, he draws inspiration from art, film, and history.