The 2026 AFL Grand Final between Brisbane and Fremantle is on Saturday 26 September at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with the first bounce at 2.30pm AEST. According to the AFL, it will be the first time the two clubs have met in any final, let alone a Grand Final.
What is at stake
Fremantle is in its second Grand Final in 32 seasons, after losing to Hawthorn in 2013. A win would give the Dockers their first premiership and end the AFL's second-longest current premiership drought, behind St Kilda.
Brisbane is in its fourth consecutive Grand Final and is chasing a third premiership in a row, after wins over Sydney in 2024 and Geelong in 2025. The AFL notes that would make the Lions the first team to win three successive premierships since Hawthorn in 2013 to 2015.
Start times around Australia
2.30pm AEST: ACT, NSW, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria
2pm ACST: South Australia and the Northern Territory
12.30pm AWST: Western Australia
How to watch
The AFL says the match is live on Channel Seven and 7plus, with coverage starting at 2pm AEST. Fans overseas can watch through Watch AFL.
Before the bounce
Kylie Minogue headlines the pre-match entertainment, supported by G Flip and Mike Brady, with Michael Paynter singing the national anthem.
Match officials
Veteran umpire Brett Rosebury will officiate in his 10th Grand Final, alongside Hayden Meyer, Brendan Hosking and Nick Foot.
Whichever way it goes, one side will make history on Saturday afternoon.
About the author
RullikClear, sourced explainers on Australia and the world
Rullik is the pen name of the founder of Australia Illuminate (Auslume). Rullik writes plain-language explainers on life in Australia, from immigration, study and work to money, sport and screen culture, always linking to the official sources behind each story. Every story is reviewed before publication.
More from Rullik ↗
