AFL Grand Final Timing Locked In for Next Two Years, Daylight Slot Remains
The iconic AFL Grand Final will continue to be played under the afternoon sun for at least the next two seasons. The Australian Football League (AFL) has announced that the start time for the 2026 and 2027 season deciders will remain at 2:30 PM AEST. This decision comes after the league concluded there was “no compelling case” for an immediate shift away from the traditional daylight slot.
However, this enduring tradition might see a change in 2028, coinciding with the anticipated entry of the Tasmania Devils into the competition. This future date is being eyed for potential reassessment of the grand final’s start time, as the league prepares for a significant expansion.
The discussion surrounding the grand final’s timing has been reignited following the recent appointment of Craig Drummond as the new chairman of the AFL Commission. Within the sport and broadcasting industries, there had been a hopeful sentiment that a move to a night grand final could potentially boost television viewership figures.
A twilight slot, which was employed for the 2021 Grand Final in Perth, offered a nighttime start for viewers in the eastern states. This particular time frame has long been considered the league’s preferred alternative to the afternoon slot. The appeal of a twilight or night game stems partly from the extended time required for post-match presentations and the subsequent celebrations. It’s worth noting that the 2020 and 2021 Grand Finals were not held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) due to COVID-19 lockdowns in Victoria at the time.
AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon emphasised that while the grand final’s start time will be reviewed again in two years, the decision to confirm the schedule for the upcoming 2026 and 2027 seasons was a deliberate move to provide much-needed certainty for fans and clubs.
“When we make all of our decisions, we filter them through the lens 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’ve made the call. And I think it’s great. It’s a traditional timeslot, and if you look at a day like today – how fantastic is it?”
Dillon clarified that this decision was not rushed. “It was more about the fact that in 2028, we will have the 19th team. So, we’ll have a fixture structure that is different. There will be a significant amount of planning going into Tasmania’s entry and how the season structure will operate. The grand final time might be part of that.”
He reiterated the commitment to providing clarity: “Let’s lock it in for 2:30 PM [in 2026 and ’27], just to give that certainty that fans have been looking for.”
This year’s grand final is scheduled to take place at the MCG on Saturday, September 26.
Certainty for Stakeholders and the Fan Experience
Chairman Craig Drummond echoed the sentiment of providing stability. “It’s important to provide fans and clubs with certainty,” he commented regarding the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
However, Drummond did not entirely close the door on future changes. “We are very focused, as we’ve said, on the fans, on the footy, and the quality of the footy product. But that’s not to say that in the future, we wouldn’t look to reassess. At this point in time, we think it’s really important to give our stakeholders certainty, and that’s why two years, we believe, makes eminently good sense.”
Official Reactions and Fan Sentiment
Victoria’s Premier, Jacinta Allan, opted not to comment directly on the AFL Grand Final timing. Instead, she highlighted the government’s successful efforts in securing an NFL regular season game for the MCG in September. “It doesn’t matter what time of 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 remarked.
The AFL Fans Association president, Ron Issko, expressed that the voices of supporters have been heard. “For generations, a 2:30 PM Grand Final has brought people together – not just for the match itself, but for the shared experience surrounding 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 the kids.”
He further elaborated on the significance of the traditional timeslot: “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.” The sentiment underscores the deep cultural connection fans have with the afternoon start, viewing it as an integral part of the broader Grand Final festivities and family-friendly atmosphere. The decision to maintain this for the next two years is likely to be welcomed by a significant portion of the AFL fanbase who cherish this long-standing tradition.
