The Brisbane Lions will play Easter Thursday football in 2019, with the AFL General Manager Clubs & Broadcasting Travis Auld confirming the match details earlier this evening.

The Lions will host Collingwood on Thursday, April 18 at 7.35pm AEST at The Gabba, ahead of the Easter long weekend.

This will be the first time in five years the Lions will host the marquee match. The Lions had previously played on this date in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 (at Etihad Stadium), 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Lions CEO Greg Swann said the Club is thrilled the game will be returning to Queensland next season.

“Traditionally the Easter Thursday games were our biggest for the year,” Swann said.

“We are delighted that our fans can again enjoy this prime-time match at our home ground of The Gabba in 2019.

“We believe the AFL has recognised we play an exciting brand of footy, which has been justly rewarded by this fixture.

“We would like to thank the Queensland government for their support in getting this across the line, particularly Major Events and Tourism.

“We believe this will be huge for our Club and football in Queensland.”