A PERFECT evening is forecast for Thursday night's season opener between Richmond and Carlton.

Richmond is set to unfurl its premiership flag under a clear sky at the MCG, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a mostly sunny day and a top of 26 degrees on Thursday.

Richmond vs Carlton Game Day Hub

Both Richmond and the AFL are hopeful more than 90,000 fans will turn out to see the Tigers unfurl their premiership flag and potentially set a new round one attendance record, breaking the mark of 87,119 set by Carlton and Collingwood in 1995.  

In a positive sign, the Melbourne Cricket Club has sold out its allocation of visitors' tickets for the game, indicating the members' reserve will be close to capacity.