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The AFL has declared there is ‘no compelling case’ to stage a twilight or night grand final this season, locking in the traditional afternoon start time for the next two years.
But the league will continue to weigh up the merits of a later ball-up as part of broader competition considerations ahead of the Tasmania Devils’ entry in 2028.
AFL Commission chair Craig Drummond confirmed the 2.30pm start time will remain for grand finals in 2026 and 2027.
‘Everyone who loves footy has a view on the right start time for our biggest game of the year, and for at least the next two seasons it will remain in its traditional afternoon timeslot at the MCG,’ Drummond said.
‘The Commission agreed it was important to provide fans and clubs with certainty now, while also allowing the AFL to continue to plan on our 19th club entering the competition in two years’ time.’
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said the decision will provide certainty for all stakeholders for the next two seasons.
The AFL grand final will continue to kick off at 2.30pm Melbourne time this year and next, with the league saying there is ‘no compelling case’ for a switch to a twilight start time (pictured, Brisbane celebrate their premiership win last year)
The decision comes despite heavy speculation that the time would be shifted for this year’s decider (pictured, Brisbane stars celebrate their grand final victory last year)
The AFL has held two twilight grand finals, in 2020 and 2021 (pictured)
‘We are already undertaking significant work on Tasmania entering the AFL in 2028, so it makes sense to lock in the grand final start time for the next two seasons and provide everyone with clarity,’ Dillon said.
The AFL has only staged two grand finals under lights – in 2020 (at the Gabba) and 2021 (Optus Stadium) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision to leave the start time unchanged comes as a surprise after a switch to a twilight start time was widely tipped by footy experts over the last week.
‘If it’s not a twilight grand final this year, I’ll be shocked,’ veteran journalist Caroline Wilson said on Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters on Tuesday night.
‘The AFL is targeting, among others, but very strongly targeting Kylie Minogue to perform at a twilight grand final.’
AFL Fans’ Association president Ron Issko is convinced the move to a twilight start is inevitable – and has called for clarity from the league.
The 2025 AFL Fans’ Association survey found about 82 per cent of supporters preferred a 2.30pm start and just 13 per cent opted for twilight hours.
‘Sell us the benefits of a twilight grand final,’ Issko said.
‘Tell us why it’s better for the fans. Tell us why it is better for football.
‘Don’t treat fans as consumers… treat them as an integral part of the game.
‘Change the narrative from “we do what we want and the fans will just suck it up” to “let’s work with the fans”.’
