The AFL world has been left stunned as the league announced the grand final will continue in the 2.30pm for the next two seasons despite expectations that the league was set to push its showcase event back.
In an announcement on Sunday morning, Andrew Dillon said the two-year call “would provide fans, clubs and stakeholders with certainty”.
“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.
“Our role is to deliver the best possible Grand Final experience – for the 100,000 fans at the MCG and the millions watching on broadcast – and together with our Grand Final broadcast partner, the Seven Network, we remain committed to making it the biggest and best sporting event in the country.”
“The season has started strongly, the footy has been exciting, crowds have been strong, and there is plenty to look forward to over the next month with Gather Round and Anzac Day ahead.”
The AFL statement noted that the decision would not be well received by everyone, but that there was no compelling case for a twilight grand final.
“While there continues to be mixed views among fans, players, broadcasters, sponsors, and everyone with a stake in the game, there is no compelling case for change now, and the decision was that the AFL Grand Final should remain in its traditional afternoon timeslot for the next two seasons,” the statement said.
The start time of the 2028 Grand Final will be reviewed at a later date, as part of a broader assessment of scheduling required to accommodate AFL newcomer Tasmania, the league’s 19th team.
The AFL tested night grand finals when it moved from the MCG to Brisbane (2020) and Perth (2021) during Covid lockdowns.
And the expectation was that it would move to a 3.20pm or later start to appeal to broadcasters and generate overseas interest despite last year’s AFL Fan’s Association survey finding approximately 82 per cent of supporters preferred a 2.30pm Grand Final start time.
A later timeslot would have also allowed for the AFL to change to a halftime show under lights.
Earlier this week Channel 7’s Caroline Wilson reported the league was ready to change the timeslot.
“If it’s not a twilight Grand Final this year, I’ll be shocked,” Wilson said on The Agenda Setters.
“Andrew Dillon, who was the one executive really strongly keeping it in the afternoon, is wavering.
“I think the new chairman doesn’t mind the idea of a twilight Grand Final, and pretty much the rest of the executive at the AFL are pretty keen on it.
“It will be dark at halftime, but the AFL would need to extend halftime, and that is one option they’re looking at, to have the key performer in the dark, but you could also have a performer in the daytime and then play it at twilight.
“It’s going to be really exciting.”
However, the league decided against changing the time, in a decision that has divided the AFL world.
“I probably prefer a day game but I’d watch an AFL grand final at any time, as would all genuine footy fans. It’s laughable how outraged “fans” get when there’s talk of shifting it to a twilight slot, even though it becomes more accessible to viewers nationally,” Matt Nicholls wrote on X in response to the news.
“What a joke,” Shawn Alderson commented.
“Should be 3:30,” Adam Nicotera added.
However, others rejoiced that the traditional timeslot was preserved at least for another two years.
“We shall rejoice in the streets! It’s the best thing for the footy and the fans, and therefore the best thing for the future,” Dan Dinardo wrote.
“Great news! The Grand Final will start at 2.30pm this year and next year,” Cheryl Critchley said.
Mr Dillon said a daytime AFL Grand Final was befitting of an event that drew huge crowds and broadcast audiences.
“We remain committed to making it the biggest and best sporting event in the country,” he said.
