AFL Grand Final Friday
September 25
About AFL Grand Final Friday
AFL Grand Final Friday is a public holiday in Victoria, Australia, observed on Friday, 25 September 2026. It falls the day before the Toyota AFL Grand Final at the MCG and gives Victorians a long weekend to enjoy the parade, barbecues, and the build-up to one of the biggest occasions in Australian sport.
AFL Grand Final Friday Dates
The date is set each year as the Friday immediately before the AFL Grand Final, which is gazetted by the Victorian Government once the AFL fixture is confirmed. It is not a fixed calendar date: it follows the match.
| Year | Public Holiday (Friday) | Grand Final (Saturday) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 25 September | 26 September |
| 2027 | TBC | TBC |
| 2028 | TBC | TBC |
What the Holiday Is
Victoria introduced AFL Grand Final Friday as a formal public holiday in 2015, replacing an earlier informal arrangement where many Melbourne workers simply took the day off without a legal entitlement. The formalisation gave Victorian workers the right to join the festivities, watch the parade, and travel to Melbourne without using annual leave.
The holiday applies only in Victoria. Workers in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia are not entitled to the day off unless their employer chooses to grant it. The MCG draws a crowd of around 100,000 for the match itself, and millions more watch across Australia and overseas.
The Grand Final Parade, 2026
The centrepiece of Grand Final Friday is the Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade. In 2026 the parade begins at Melbourne Park Oval at 10:30am and moves through Birrarung Marr, across the William Barak Bridge, and into the MCG Yarra Park Precinct. Both Grand Finalists are presented on stage at Footy Fest at the conclusion of the route. Pre-parade entertainment at Melbourne Park starts from 9:00am and is free for spectators.
The parade is broadcast live on Fox Footy and streamed via the AFL website. Hundreds of thousands of people typically line the route or gather in parks along the way.
How Victorians Spend the Day
- Watching the parade in person along the Melbourne route or on television
- Hosting Grand Final Eve barbecues, footy-themed gatherings, and tipping competitions
- Travelling from regional Victoria into Melbourne for the weekend
- Attending the Footy Fest fan zone and official team activities
- Shopping for team merchandise and colours ahead of the match
History of the Holiday
Before 2015, Grand Final Friday was an unofficial tradition: many Melbourne workers simply did not come in. The state government of Daniel Andrews resolved the ambiguity by creating a dedicated public holiday, initially replacing the Melbourne Show Day for some workers and later standing independently. Business groups raised concerns about penalty rates, but the change was broadly welcomed by workers and unions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is AFL Grand Final Friday a public holiday outside Victoria?
- No. It is a Victoria-only holiday. Workers in other states are not legally entitled to the day off.
- What if the Grand Final date changes?
- The public holiday follows the fixture. If the AFL moves the match, the holiday moves with it.
- Do employees get penalty rates on Grand Final Friday?
- Yes. As with all Victorian public holidays, workers required to attend must receive penalty rates under the relevant award or enterprise agreement.
- Are Grand Final Friday events free to attend?
- The parade and most Footy Fest viewing areas are free. Some premium hospitality packages are sold by the AFL and partner venues.
Related Dates
See also: Australian public holidays and awareness days and September awareness days.
Last reviewed: 16 September 2026.
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