When is the AFL Grand Final in 2026?
The MCG will once again host the AFL Grand Final, on Saturday 26 September 2026. The public holiday will be on Friday 25 September, the day before the AFL Grand Final.
The best bars, pubs and venues to watch the AFL Grand Final in Melbourne
Footy Fest
Meet your footy heroes, join a free footy clinic and enjoy live entertainment for the whole family.
The Waterside Hotel
Watch the AFL Grand Final on the big screen with 5 hours of free-flowing food & drinks, $148pp.
The General Assembly
Celebrate Grand Final Day with wings & pulled beef burger specials.
Morris House
Book a bottomless drinks & canapes package and watch the Grand Final live & loud.
Crane Bar & Lounge
Head to the watch party for a riverside screening, plus food and drink specials.
Riverland Bar
Spend Grand Final Day in the sun with the big screen on live & loud, brekkie, after-party and more.
Imperial Hotel
Watch the Grand Final on the rooftop with live tunes, brekkie, free snags and a raffle.
Good Nature
Watch the Grand Final live & loud with live music, brekkie, face painting and packages.
The Wharf Hotel
Celebrate Grand Final Day with face painting, drink packages, brekkie burgers, live music & more.
State of Grace
Enjoy a Kylie-inspired brunch, with 3-hrs of drinks & brunch faves, Kylie tunes & the game, $99pp.
Garden State Hotel
Book your spot to watch the game, with post-game live entertainment and DJs into the night.
Hopscotch
Doors open 9am with breakfast, a full menu, live music from 11am and the game!
Mail Exchange Hotel
Enjoy lunch with a shared antipasto, a main, 3/4 time snacks, dessert, plus the game. $67pp.
Ludlow Bar and Dining Room
Watch the game on big screens in the public bar and on the terrace, open from 11.30am.
The Duke of Wellington
Enjoy the pre-game hype, the big match, plus post-game celebrations. Open from 10am.
Transport Public Bar
Watch it live and loud across 13 screens & 3 mega screens. No bookings, no tickets, walk-ins only.
Fad Gallery Bar
Enjoy all day and night drink specials and free snacks during the game.
Quarterhouse
Spend Grand Final Day on the rooftop with a $110 bottomless beer, wine and roaming canapes package.
More footy fun
Hawthorn AFL Best and Fairest
Be part of the biggest and most celebrated night on the Hawks calendar, the Peter Crimmins Medal.
Footy Shorts
Stick around after the final siren on Grand Final day to catch footy docos on the Big Screen.
Marvel Stadium 365 Tour
Walk in the footsteps of footy legends and go backstage where global superstars have been.
Where to eat near the MCG and Marvel Stadium
Heading to a game? Here’s where to stop off for pre or post-event feasting.
More of the best sporting events in Melbourne
Constellation Cup
The Australian Diamonds take on the Silver Ferns in Game 4 of the Constellation Cup.
Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival
The Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival takes over the streets of Melbourne this October.
Head of the Yarra: Australia's Rowing Classic
Watch 300 racing eights from clubs all over Australia and New Zealand depart from Princes Bridge.
NBL: Melbourne United v Illawarra Hawks
Melbourne United play the Illawarra Hawks during Round 21 of NBL27.
Last updated on Fri 18 Sep 2026
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