The 2025 AFL Grand Final is set for Saturday 27 September 2025 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The first bounce is scheduled for 2.30pm AEST, the traditional afternoon slot.
This year’s decider will be contested between the Geelong Cats and the Brisbane Lions. Geelong return after their preliminary final win over Hawthorn; Brisbane are chasing back-to-back flags.
Grand Final Parade
The Grand Final Parade will take place on Friday 26 September 2025, the day before the match, which is also a public holiday in Victoria.
It starts in the morning – entertainment kicks off around 9.00 am AEST at Birrarung Marr precinct, including DJs, emcees and family-friendly activation zones. The parade then follows a route through Melbourne Park Oval, across the William Barak Bridge, and into the Yarra Park precinct at the MCG, finishing at Macca’s Footy Fest, where the two Grand Final teams and the Premiership Cup will be presented on the main stage around midday.
Footy Finals Festival
The Macca’s Footy Fest will return as part of the Grand Final week build-up. It runs from Wednesday 25 Septemberthrough Saturday 28 September in the Yarra Park precinct. It’s a free, family-friendly live site with food, entertainment, appearances by players and legends, and carnival-style fun.
Public Transport
Transport arrangements will be upgraded for the period from Wednesday 24 to Saturday 27 September. Expect extra train, tram, and bus services in and around the MCG precinct. The Free Tram Zone will be temporarily extended to cover additional tram stops near Melbourne Park, Docklands and locations that serve parade and festival routes. V/Line are also running a range of extra services to get people to the parade and the game from Ballarat and Geelong.
Entertainment
The AFL has confirmed Snoop Dogg as the headline act for the Grand Final entertainment, performing in the pre-game slot from around 1pm. His set will lead into the bounce, rounding out a week of colour, spectacle and footy tradition.
Where to Watch
For those not heading to the MCG, the game will be broadcast live on the Seven Network, with coverage also available on 7plus for streaming. Public live viewing sites will include Federation Square and Yarra Park, both screening the full match on big screens as part of the festival setup.
