HAWTHORN is set to open its 2015 campaign with a blockbuster pre-season encounter with Collingwood in February.

For the first time ever, the Hawks will host the Pies in Tasmania on Thursday 26 February, when the two sides clash at Aurora Stadium.

The game will be played under lights at the venue, with the start time set for 7.10pm EDT.

The Hawks will then head to Shepparton to take on North Melbourne in its second pre-season game in the lead-up to the 2015 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

The Hawks will get a two-week break between its first and second games, with the match in Shepparton set for Sunday 8 March at 4.40pm.

The game will be played at Deakin Recreation Reserve.

11 days later, Hawthorn will round out its preparation for the opening round of the 2015 season with a clash against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Thursday 19 March at 7.10pm.

Hawthorn will then have a two-and-a-half week break before opening its 2015 season in the blockbuster Easter Monday clash against Geelong at the MCG, the AFL confirmed last week.

That game will be played on 6 April.

The AFL also confirmed on Monday night the Hawks will travel to Adelaide to take on Port Adelaide on ANZAC Day in Round 4 next year, in a blockbuster Round 4 clash.

The full 2015 home-and-away fixture will be released on Thursday morning.

View the full 2015 NAB Challenge fixture.

Entry to all Hawthorn NAB Challenge matches will be FREE for 2015 members.
 

Hawthorn’s 2015 NAB Challenge fixture

Match 1
Hawthorn v Collingwood
Thursday 26 February
Aurora Stadium
7.10pm EDT

Match 2
North Melbourne v Hawthorn
Sunday, 8 March
Deakin Recreation Reserve, Shepparton
4.40pm EDT

Match 3
St Kilda v Hawthorn
Thursday, 19 March
Etihad Stadium
7.10pm EDT