The Carlton Football Club is going back to the future to put on a show for the season opening blockbuster at the MCG next week.

An LED lights show, fireworks and pyrotechnics will feature in the pre-match build up, with Captain Carlton set to take centre stage in his new and improved hovercraft. The hovercraft was a feature at Carlton home games in the late ‘90s and a favourite among Blues supporters.

Elements of Carlton’s spiritual home at Princes Park will be brought to life at the MCG, with the Punt Road end of the ground set to be transformed into the Heatley End. The Heatley End will pay homage to the famous Robert Heatley Stand and will be positioned within and next to the Carlton cheer squad.

At every home game throughout season 2015, the Blues will celebrate their cult-heroes by inducting them to the Carlton Ring of Honour. Brendan Fevola will be the first inductee, with ‘Fev’ also set to deliver the game ball to umpires.

Captain Carlton and his hovercraft in the 1990s at Princes Park.

Carlton CEO Steven Trigg says it’s all aimed at creating a uniquely Carlton match-day experience.

“It’s a real privilege to open the season and we’re committed to making it a must-see spectacle for our members and supporters,” Trigg said.

“We set out to keep the match-day experience as authentically Carlton as possible, while bringing some of Princes Park with us to the ‘G,

“Captain Carlton, along with his new hovercraft, will appeal to both our younger fans and the generation of 'Bluebaggers’ who turned our home and the Heatley End into a fortress.

"We’re also making a concerted effort to re-engage Carlton people everywhere, and Brendan Fevola has always been a fan-favourite amongst our supporter base. We are excited that he and his family will be part of Thursday night's pre-game celebration."

The last time Carlton hosted Richmond in Round 1 was 2013, with the game drawing a crowd of 80,671 to the MCG.