Essendon will open its 2022 VFL season against Geelong at GHMBA Stadium on Saturday, with the AFL confirming the fixture for the first eight rounds.

Led by new head coach Brent Stanton, the Bombers will open their campaign with away games against the Cats and Casey Demons, before playing their first-ever match for premiership points at the NEC Hangar when they host Frankston on April 10.

The Bombers' first game at Windy Hill will be played against Collingwood from 1:05pm on Anzac Day.

CLICK HERE FOR 2022 VFL FIXTURE

The 2022 VFL season will see 21 teams play 18 games each in a 22-round home-and-away season.

The top eight will contest a four-week finals series, with the grand final scheduled for the weekend of September 17/18.

VFL broadcast partner the Seven Network will show a weekly game plus finals, live and free on 7 in Victoria and 7Plus nationally. Fans can catch up from anywhere around the nation on 7plus.

All VFL matches in 2022 will be live streamed and available on demand via the AFL website (afl.com.au) and AFL Live Official App.