St Kilda’s 2016 campaign gets off to a blistering start with Alan Richardson’s side scheduled a few blockbuster games in the opening month of the season.

The Saints will commence 2016 against Port Adelaide in South Australia’s sporting cathedral, Adelaide Oval, in the last weekend of March.

And then in St Kilda’s first home game of the season, the club will enjoy a night of celebration with club icon Nick Riewoldt set to play his 300^th game, as well as the game marking the second edition of ‘Maddie’s Match’.

In round three, the club will pay tribute to the 50^th anniversary of the 1966 premiership against Collingwood with a Saturday afternoon blockbuster against the Magpies at the home of football.

A week later, St Kilda will travel to the apple isle to face back-to-back-to-back premiers Hawthorn at their fortress - Aurora Stadium in Launceston. It will be the first time the Saints have played at the venue since 2009.

St Kilda will be exposed to five Saturday night fixtures this year, with the pick of the bunch coming against Geelong in round 14 at Etihad Stadium. In last season’s fixture, the match ended in a thrilling draw after the Saints burst out of the blocks.

In a momentous occasion for the game, St Kilda will host the first Pride game in the AFL’s history when Sydney travel to the MCG in round 21, to help celebrate sexual diversity and equality.

Five fixtures to put in your diary:

Rd Two – St Kilda v Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium – Saturday, April 2

Rd Three – St Kilda v Collingwood at MCG – Saturday, April 9

Rd Four – Hawthorn v St Kilda at Aurora Stadium – Saturday, April 16

Rd 14 – St Kilda v Geelong at Etihad Stadium – Saturday, June 25

Rd 21 – St Kilda v Sydney at Etihad Stadium – Saturday, August 13