News AFL proposing mid-October Grand Final for 2026 and 2027

[BigVic]

NOT A LATE APRIL FOOLS JOKE:

The AFL is proposing a mid-October Grand Final for next season and 2027 according to Channel Nine. It is to accomodate State of Origin.

Leave the game alone. Don't retire Mike Brady and his classic "One Day in September". October AFLW is in its pointy end, we have Bathurst 1000 and the Spring Racing Carnival. Don't mess with tradition

AFL's path for Origin revealed as major revamp floated

Night grand final on the cards

www.nine.com.au

 

[Cmarsh]

"The path back for State of Origin in the AFL appears to be clearer with plans to make a change to the grand final date.

Nine's Eddie McGuire revealed the plans on 9news Melbourne after rampant speculation through the year that Origin would make a return.

The plan is all part of a major revamp to the AFL's fixture lists which will include ways to avoid clashes against rival codes and major events.

McGuire said the plan is to move the 2026 and 2027 grand finals into the second week of October while Origin would start the season in March over two weekends.

The grand final clash would then "stop clashes with the Grand Prix at the start of the year", according to McGuire with round one to be pushed back.

In 2026, the AFL also plans to have the bye weekend fit into when the NFL is played, followed by the 100th year Test match anniversary between Australia and England.

"Most importantly, it gives players and fans a better start to the season and in the best conditions," McGuire said.

"It also means at the other end of the season, no clashes with rival codes for the three biggest games; the two preliminary finals and the grand final so the AFL would maximise ratings and commercial activity.

"There would also be a daylight savings grand final in October 2026 which could lead to a night grand final."

 

[Grockadoc]

GAGF.

 

[Cmarsh]

Sounds like State of Origin will be the new opening round(s).

 

[BigVic]

A night Grand Final? Not a fan of it.

 

[BallaratBulldog]

If they did that they probably make it a night/twilight grand final - no from me

 

[Grockadoc]

Not a fan of night grand finals. After 2020, it was too long to wait during the day.

On State of Origin, why not play it the night before the grand final with players from the 16 other sides that didn't make it? Or if they have a night grand final, play it as a curtain raiser to the actual GF.

 

[aCunningPlan]

This is happening ay...

 

[bartlettsbaldpatch]

Avoids F1 but clashes with Bathurst 1000 . Go figure .

 

[BigVic]

Starting at 3:30pm Perth time will mean a 6:30pm in Melbourne with a twilight affair. Sunset on 10 October 2026 is 7.32pm which be around halftime. Will be too late for the fans by the time it finishes around 10pm Melbourne time when the presentations are finished.

Preliminary Final weekend will also be Turnbull Stakes Day on 3 October

 

[Cleavy]

hate it

 

[Gavin Excell]

This is happening ay...

Sounds like Eddie's been given the green light by the AFL to run with it

 

[Cmarsh]

Avoids F1 but clashes with Bathurst 1000 . Go figure .

GF is Saturday. Main Bathurst race is on the Sunday.

 

[BigVic]

This could mean a twilight affair with sunset in Melbourne at 7.32pm on 10 October 2026.

Game would start at 6:30pm AEDT to accomodate a longer halftime break for the halftime show to take place around sunset Melbourne time.

 

[fargothegreat]

Starting at 3:15pm Perth time will mean a 6:15pm in Melbourne with a twilight affair. Sunset on 10 October 2026 is 7.32pm which be around halftime. Will be too late for the fans by the time it finishes around 10pm Melbourne time when the presentations are finished.

Preliminary Final weekend will also be Turnbull Stakes Day on 3 October

I reckon that's still too late for the granny. I'm okay with a twilight game starting at about 4-4:30 Melbourne time, but don't want it too late.

Night granny means everyone's too pissed before the game starts

 

[Outtatym]

No one wants this

 

[terrybull]

A night Grand Final? Not a fan of it.

Love it!

Means I don’t have to get up 5 in the morning and more mates will be willing to watch the game.

 

[BigVic]

I reckon that's still too late for the granny. I'm okay with a twilight game starting at about 4-4:30 Melbourne time, but don't want it too late.

Night granny means everyone's too pissed before the game starts

Didn't enjoy waiting all day for 2020 to start. Was not the same. We had night/twilight grand finals when the game was in Brisbane and Perth. Melbourne Grand Finals have been played in daylight

 

[BigVic]

2000 was a daylight saving Grand Final starting at 2:45pm AEDT which was mid-morning here. I support tradition with a day grand final as it has been for Grand Finals hosted in Melbourne.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

State or Origin is such a meh thing

 

[Rotayjay]

**** off

 

[The Feeder Club]

State or Origin is such a meh thing

Especially if they have some bullshit made up "allies" team that isn't even a state competing

 

[Clark G]

Starting the season a bit later in March is a good thing.

 

[Whiskers]

Especially if they have some bullshit made up "allies" team that isn't even a state competing

2 divisions.
VIC, SA, WA, Indigenous All Stars
Than they have QLD, NSW, TAS and ACT and/or NT I think it was.
2 winners of main division meet in All Australian final.

Anyway I like most of the proposal except the night GF. It makes sense to start late March/April. Get a proper pre season in. March is still cricket season.

Derbies/rivalries open the year, that’s ok. Split round mid season where northern states get a week to themselves.

 

[BigVic]

Make it night grand final again haven't watched since 2021

2021 didn't feel right at all. Twilight or night affair is different compared to the traditional daytime slot.