AFL Grand Final to Remain a Daylight Spectacle for Next Two Years
The Australian Football League (AFL) has confirmed that the highly anticipated Grand Final will continue to be played under daylight for the upcoming 2026 and 2027 seasons. The league announced this decision, stating that there is currently “no compelling case” to alter the traditional 2:30 PM AEST start time. This move aims to provide much-needed certainty for fans and clubs as they plan for the next two major deciders.
The decision follows recent discussions surrounding the start time, particularly in light of the AFL Commission’s new chairman, Craig Drummond. While some within the broadcasting and football industries had expressed hopes that a twilight or night Grand Final could boost television viewership, the league has opted to maintain the status quo for now. The twilight slot, which was notably used for the 2021 Grand Final in Perth, has been considered by some as the league’s preferred direction for future Grand Finals. This timing was partly influenced by the logistical considerations of post-game presentations and celebrations, which can extend late into the evening.
AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon emphasised that the league’s decision-making process prioritises what is best for the game, the supporters, and the competition as a whole. “When we make the decisions, all of our decisions, we’re putting them through the focus of what’s best for the footy, what’s best for the fans, and what’s best for the competition,” Dillon stated. “As we sit here now, for 2026 and 2027, we made the call, and I think it’s great. Traditional timeslot, and you look at a day like today – how great.”
Future Considerations and the 19th Team
While the 2:30 PM AEST start time is locked in for the next two seasons, the AFL has indicated that a review will take place in two years, coinciding with the planned entry of the Tasmania Devils into the competition in 2028. This expansion to a 19-team league is expected to necessitate adjustments to the overall fixture structure, and the Grand Final start time may be re-evaluated as part of this broader planning.
Dillon explained that the timing of the announcement was to offer clarity to fans. “It was more about that in 2028, we will have the 19th team, so we’ll have a fixture structure that is different, so there will be a lot of planning going into the entry of Tasmania and how the season structure is going to work, and grand final time might be part of that,” he said. “Lock it in for 2:30pm [in 2026 and ’27], just to give that certainty the fans have been looking for.”
The current year’s Grand Final is scheduled to take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday, September 26.
Stakeholder Input and Fan Experience
AFL Commission chairman Craig Drummond echoed the sentiment of providing stakeholders with certainty. “We are very focused, as we said, on the fans, on the footy, the quality of the footy product, but not saying that in the future, we wouldn’t look to reassess,” Drummond commented. “But at this point in time, we think it’s really important to give our stakeholders certainty, and that’s why two years, we think, makes eminently good sense.”
The AFL Fans Association president, Ron Issko, welcomed the decision, suggesting that the voices of supporters have been heard. “For generations, a 2:30pm grand final has brought people together – not just for the match itself, but for the shared experience around it,” Issko said. “Families and friends can gather for a lunch or barbecue, enjoy the game, and still have time afterwards to celebrate or commiserate without it becoming too late for kids. Grand final day is about more than just the match – it’s a uniquely shared experience, and the traditional time slot plays a vital role in that.”
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, when asked about the Grand Final timing, shifted the focus to the government’s broader sporting initiatives, highlighting the upcoming NFL regular season game at the MCG. “It doesn’t matter what time of the day the AFL grand final is, it’s always a cracking event that can only be done here in Melbourne and Victoria at the fabulous MCG,” she stated.
The decision to maintain the daylight Grand Final for 2026 and 2027 prioritises tradition and fan experience, while leaving the door open for potential changes in the future as the competition evolves.
