AFL grand final 2026: ultimate guide to the flag decider between Fremantle and Brisbane

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Fremantle and reigning champions Brisbane will compete in the 2026 AFL grand final on September 26 at the MCG, with Fremantle seeking their first premiership and Brisbane aiming for a third consecutive title. The match will feature expanded halftime entertainment, live broadcasts across multiple platforms, and a contingency plan for extra time if the scores are tied.

Fremantle and Brisbane will face off in the 2026 Australian Football League (AFL) grand final on Saturday, September 26, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The match, beginning at 2:30 p.m. AEST, will see both teams pursue significant milestones in their club histories.

Fremantle enters the grand final aiming to capture its first premiership since joining the league in 1995. This marks only the Dockers’ second appearance in the grand final, as they seek to build on a late-season surge. After their unbeaten streak at home was ended by Hawthorn in the first qualifying final, Fremantle rebounded with strong finishes in the semi-final against Geelong and the preliminary final against Sydney to secure their place in the decider.

Brisbane, the reigning premiers, appear in their fourth straight grand final, attempting to claim a third consecutive AFL title. The Lions had to navigate the finals through the semi-final route as well, comfortably defeating Adelaide before edging past Hawthorn in a closely contested preliminary final widely regarded as one of the best in recent memory.

This grand final will be the first time Fremantle and Brisbane meet in a finals match. The teams last clashed in round 12 at Brisbane’s Gabba stadium, where Fremantle held off a late Brisbane comeback to win by 25 points, bolstering their credentials as serious contenders.

The MCG has a capacity of 100,024 spectators, with the 2026 grand final expected to approach a full house similar to past years. The match is forecast to conclude around 5:30 p.m. AEST, though exact timing could vary depending on the flow of the game. The half-time break will be extended compared to regular season games to accommodate the traditional grand final sprint and AusKick demonstrations.

Broadcast coverage will be available live on Channel Seven and its streaming platform, 7Plus, as well as internationally via the Watch AFL service. A replay of the match will be accessible on Kayo following the final siren.

In the event of a draw at full-time, the AFL will implement extra time consisting of two three-minute halves without a full half-time break. Up to 10 additional interchanges will be permitted during this period. If scores remain tied, successive extra-time periods will be played until a winner emerges.

The grand final week includes a parade on Friday, September 25, starting at 10:30 a.m. AEST in Melbourne, coinciding with a public holiday in Victoria. The festivities will feature the popular children’s group The Wiggles performing at Melbourne Park before joining the parade route through Birrarung Marr to the MCG.

Weather conditions on grand final day are expected to be mild, with cloudy skies and a slight chance of showers. Temperatures are forecast to reach around 22 degrees Celsius.

Pre-game entertainment will feature prominent Australian artists. Kylie Minogue will make her debut at an AFL grand final performance, following an earlier set by Melbourne musician G Flip. The national anthem will be performed by singer-songwriter Michael Paynter, and Mike Brady will also feature, singing the classic “Up There Cazaly” during the tribute to retiring players.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.