When is the AFL grand final? Start time, how to watch, Kylie Minogue, G Flip and Wharfie Time

The AFL’s biggest day has arrived, with Fremantle and Brisbane preparing to battle for the premiership in front of about 100,000 fans at the MCG.

The Dockers are chasing their first AFL premiership, while the Lions are looking to make history with a third consecutive flag.

There is plenty happening before the first bounce, with Kylie Minogue headlining the pre-game entertainment alongside G Flip.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 AFL grand final, including when it starts, how to watch it and when the entertainment gets underway.

When is the AFL grand final?

The 2026 AFL grand final between Fremantle and Brisbane will be played at the MCG on Saturday, September 26.

The first bounce is at 2.30pm AEST, meaning the game starts at 2.30pm in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, 2pm in Adelaide and 12.30pm in Perth.

It will be just Fremantle’s second grand final appearance, 13 years after the Dockers lost to Hawthorn in the 2013 decider.

Brisbane, meanwhile, will play in its fourth consecutive grand final after winning the past two premierships.

How can I watch the AFL grand final?

The grand final will be broadcast live and free on Channel 7 and streamed on 7plus Sport.

Fans can stream the match on compatible phones, tablets, smart TVs and other devices.

Seven’s grand final coverage begins well before the match, with the Grand Final Brunch from 9am AEST followed by the Grand Final Countdown at 10.30am.

Coverage from inside the MCG begins at midday before the official pre-game show and match coverage begins at 2pm AEST (12pm AWST).

What time is Kylie Minogue performing?

Kylie Minogue will headline the AFL grand final pre-game entertainment and is scheduled to hit the stage at 1.39pm AEST (11.39 AWST).

The Melbourne-born superstar will also join Seven’s Abbey Holmes during the coverage ahead of her performance for an insight into her preparations for the huge show.

G Flip will perform earlier at 1.25pm AEST, before Mike Brady takes over for the retiring players motorcade.

The pre-game entertainment can also be watched live and free on 7plus Sport.

What will the weather be like?

Fans heading to the MCG may want to pack for wet weather, with showers forecast for Melbourne on Saturday.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a high chance of showers, with rain expected during the morning and potentially continuing into the afternoon.

Conditions are expected to be cool, with periods of light and patchy rain potentially making the ground and ball slippery.

How do I get to the MCG?

Fans have been urged to use public transport, with no public parking available at the MCG on grand final day.

Extra trains and trams will run to cater for the expected crowd, while Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone will be extended to the MCG.

Tram routes 48, 70 and 75 have been added to the free zone, with an additional 184 tram services scheduled to help move fans to and from the ground.

Another 38 train services have also been added across a number of Melbourne lines before and after the game.

What is Wharfie Time?

Fremantle fans could get a taste of Optus Stadium at the MCG, with the AFL giving the Dockers the green light to use their fan-favourite Wharfie Time activation during the grand final.

Wharfie Time sees the words flash across the big screen as the opening bells of AC/DC’s Hells Bells ring around the stadium, usually deployed late in a tight game to fire up the Purple Army.

After days of uncertainty over whether the club-aligned tradition would be allowed at the neutral MCG, the AFL approved its use this week.

There is one catch: Fremantle can activate Wharfie Time only once and only after a Dockers goal.

Brisbane will also be allowed to use its familiar post-goal songs, including Country Roads for Charlie Cameron, Sweet Caroline for Cam Rayner and Daddy Cool for Kai Lohmann.