Footy Festival starts countdown to historic AFL Grand Final

The 2026 AFL Grand Final Footy Festival has opened outside the iconic MCG.

It has transformed Yarra Park into a hub for Grand Final action, with something for fans of all ages. The Footy Festival is an ideal way for Victorians and visitors alike to enjoy Grand Final week before the blockbuster clash between the Dockers and the Lions.

Saturday’s AFL Grand Final will be the first ever meeting between the 2 teams with fans from Western Australia and Queensland descending on Victoria to cheer on their team.

A non-Victorian AFL Grand Final is great news for accommodation providers and businesses across the city.

More than 300,000 attendees are set to enjoy the colour and sound of the Footy Festival over the next 4 days.

Footy fans can experience a range of activities throughout the day and well into the night.

This year’s Footy Festival features free entertainment for all ages including;

• Bunnings Kids Zone
• AFL Player Club House
• Telstra Player Hub
• AFLW activations
• Team Kylie exhibition
• Presentation of the Grand Final teams and the AFL Premiership Cup.

The Family Lawn will include a host of family friendly activities including the new Bunnings Kids Zone with live performances for the whole family.

AFL Play Club House includes interactives experiences to share the excitement of the biggest game of the season.

Mainstage will have a range of exciting activations including the Telstra Player Hub showcasing the best AFL and AFLW players.

Team Kylie features memorabilia celebrating this year’s pre-game entertainer Kylie Minogue.

The Footy Festival is a key part of AFL Grand Final week along with the annual AFL Grand Final Parade this Friday on Grand Final Eve.

The competing players and coaches will travel by motorcade from John Cain Arena, through Melbourne Park, via Tanderrum Bridge to Birrarung Marr, then across William Barak Bridge to the Footy Festival at Yarra Park.

This year they will be joined by special guests The Wiggles who will perform at Melbourne Park before the parade begins and travel in their ‘big red car’.

The AFL finals are a pillar of Victoria’s major events calendar, with the AFL Grand Final locked in at the MCG, the home of football, until 2059.

The Footy Festival is open until Grand Final Day on Saturday 26 September, for more information visit FootyFest on the AFL website.