2026 AFL Grand Final

Name: 2026 AFL Grand Final
Start: 2026-09-26T00:00:00+10:00
End: 2026-09-26T23:59:59+10:00
Location: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

September 26 All day

The AFL Grand Final is the pinnacle of the Australian Football League season and one of Australia’s biggest sporting spectacles. It is an annual championship match played to determine the premier team of the season. Known for its electrifying atmosphere, incredible pre-game entertainment, and a sold-out stadium of over 100,000 passionate fans, the Grand Final is an unmissable event for any “footy” fan.

Contents

📅 When is the 2026 AFL Grand Final?

Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Kick-off: The match typically starts at 2:30 PM (AEST).
Festivities: Pre-game entertainment and the iconic Grand Final Sprint usually begin from 12:30 PM.

🏟️ Where is the 2026 AFL Grand Final?

The Grand Final is held at its traditional home under a long-term agreement with the Victorian Government.

Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Location: Yarra Park, East Melbourne, Victoria
Capacity: 100,024

About the “G”

The MCG is the largest stadium in the Southern Hemisphere. For the Grand Final, the arena is transformed into a cauldron of noise. Fans should arrive at least 90 minutes before the bounce to clear security and witness the pre-match show, which often features major international and Australian musical acts.

Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

🎟️ How do I get tickets to the 2026 AFL Grand Final?

Securing a ticket is famously difficult. There is no general public “on-sale” in the traditional sense. Tickets are allocated via the following channels:

Competing Club Members: The largest slice of the 100,000 seats goes to members of the two playing teams. Access is determined by a ballot system held the week before the game.
AFL Members: Members with “Grand Final bird” entitlements participate in a separate ballot.
MCC Members: Members of the Melbourne Cricket Club have access to the MCC Reserve, though they must typically queue or enter a lottery for the final.
Hospitality Packages: For the general public, the only guaranteed way to secure a seat is through an Official AFL Corporate Hospitality or Travel Package. These usually include pre-match dining and a reserved seat, but prices are high and they sell out months in advance.
Warning: The AFL has strict anti-scalping laws. Tickets purchased on secondary sites like eBay or Viagogo are likely to be cancelled at the gate.

🚆 How to travel to the MCG

The MCG is located just 1km from Melbourne’s CBD. Public transport is the only recommended way to travel.

By Train: * Jolimont Station: Best for those sitting in the Great Southern Stand or MCC Reserve.
- Richmond Station: Best for those sitting in the Olympic or Shane Warne Stands.
By Tram: * Route 70 or 75: Stops right outside the MCG on Flinders Street/Wellington Parade.
- Route 48: Stops on Wellington Parade.
Walking: On Grand Final day, thousands of fans participate in the “March to the G” from Federation Square or the CBD through Birrarung Marr.

🏨 Where to Stay in Melbourne

Melbourne CBD: Ideal for being close to the Grand Final Parade (held on the Friday before the game) and the post-match celebrations.
- Examples: W Melbourne, The Langham, QT Melbourne.
East Melbourne / Richmond: Walking distance to the ground, though hotels here book out up to a year in advance.
- Examples: Pullman Melbourne on the Park, Mantra on Jolimont.
Southbank: Offers a high density of luxury apartments and hotels with easy access to the MCG via the footbridges over the Yarra River.

🥧 The Fan Experience

Grand Final Eve: Friday, Sept 25, 2025, is a public holiday in Victoria. The AFL Grand Final Parade features the two teams traveling through the city in open-top cars.
Footy Festival: Held in Yarra Park outside the MCG, featuring live broadcasts, player appearances, and food stalls throughout the week.
The “After Party”: The MCG is usually opened to the public for free after the game for a post-match concert and the presentation of the premier team.