St Kilda’s mission to scale the ladder in 2020 has been set in stone with the release of the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Season Fixture.

Brett Ratten’s new-look Saints will begin their campaign with 10 matches in Victoria, including nine at Marvel Stadium.

The season-defining run of games features a blockbuster clash with Richmond for Maddie’s Match in Round 3, an Easter Sunday battle with arch-rivals Melbourne in Round 4, and a return to Friday night footy in Round 7 against Collingwood.

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The Saints will also host Sydney for the annual Pride Game in Round 15, and face double-up matches against Melbourne, Adelaide, Geelong, Fremantle and Carlton.

Ratten’s men will take on the Gold Coast Suns in Darwin in Round 13, one of five interstate trips for the year.

Acting CEO Simon Lethlean said the fixture presented fans with a great opportunity to support the Saints in 2020.

“On balance, we are satisfied with the fixture presented by the AFL,” he said.

“To have no significant travel in the first eight rounds provides our Victorian-based supporters with the opportunity to come out in big numbers and get behind the team.

“It also a good chance to create some continuity in our program and build a brand of football with a new-look team at Marvel Stadium.

“Decreasing the number of times we travel from seven last season to five in 2020 is a positive step. With games in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and Darwin, our interstate supporters can also show their support in person.

“To return to a Friday night fixture is important for our commercial partners, and we understand the importance of our on-field performance in securing more prime-time spots in the schedule moving forward.”

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NOTE: St Kilda's Round 12 clash with Port Adelaide was originally scheduled for Sunday 31 May (Round 11) at Adelaide Arena Jiangwan Stadium, Shanghai.