2026 AFL Grand Final today: start time, teams and how to watch – Grand Final day has arrived, with Fremantle and the Brisbane Lions meeting at the MCG for the 2026 AFL premiership.
The first bounce is at 2.30pm AEST on Saturday, 26 September. Channel 7 and 7plus Sport begin their match broadcast at 2.00pm AEST, following a full morning of live build-up, analysis and entertainment.
For viewers planning their Saturday, the key distinction is that Seven’s match coverage begins half an hour before the opening bounce. This new match-day guide also adds the confirmed teams and current event timetable to TV Central’s earlier full-week coverage.
What time is the 2026 AFL Grand Final?
- Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and ACT: 2.30pm AEST.
- South Australia and Northern Territory: 2.00pm ACST.
- Western Australia: 12.30pm AWST.
The match will be played at the MCG. Australian viewers can watch live and free on Channel 7 or stream the coverage in 1080p HD through 7plus Sport.
The decider presents two very different pieces of football history. Fremantle is appearing in only its second AFL Grand Final after losing to Hawthorn in 2013. Victory would deliver the Dockers’ first premiership.
Brisbane, meanwhile, has reached a fourth consecutive Grand Final. The Lions are attempting to follow their 2024 and 2025 flags with a third straight premiership, a feat no club has achieved since Hawthorn from 2013 to 2015.
It is also the first time Fremantle and Brisbane have met in any final.
Grand Final teams and late selection news
Both clubs have been named unchanged from their preliminary final victories.
Fremantle defender Brennan Cox trained strongly after recovering from a calf injury but did not regain his place. The Dockers have retained the team that defeated Sydney, with Oscar McDonald remaining in defence. Jaeger O’Meara and Chris Scerri are also among Fremantle’s emergencies.
Brisbane named Lachie Neale after the two-time Brownlow medallist successfully appealed his one-match suspension. He was instead fined and is available to take his place in the Lions midfield.
Noah Answerth was named as an emergency after recovering from an ankle injury. Bruce Reville and Cody Curtin are Brisbane’s other emergencies.
Kylie Minogue leads the pre-game entertainment
G Flip opens the stadium entertainment at 1.25pm AEST. Mike Brady follows during the retiree motorcade, before Kylie Minogue begins the headline performance at 1.39pm.
The teams enter the MCG shortly after 2.10pm. Uncle Colin Hunter Jnr performs the Welcome to Country at 2.25pm, while Michael Paynter performs the national anthem at 2.26pm. The coin toss and countdown to the bounce follow at 2.28pm.
- 1.25pm AEST: G Flip performs.
- 1.33pm: Toyota retiree motorcade and Mike Brady performance.
- 1.39pm: Kylie Minogue headline performance.
- 2.13pm: Brisbane Lions enter the MCG.
- 2.16pm: Fremantle enter the MCG.
- 2.25pm: Welcome to Country.
- 2.26pm: Australian National Anthem.
- 2.30pm: first bounce.
Channel 7 and 7plus Grand Final Day schedule
Seven’s coverage begins with the Weekend Sunrise AFL Grand Final Day Special at 7.00am AEST. After that, the main Grand Final programs run at different local times in the eastern states, Adelaide and Perth.
| Program | Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane | Adelaide | Perth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Final Brunch | 9.00am, Channel 7 and 7plus Sport | 8.30am, Channel 7 and 7plus Sport | 7.00am, Channel 7 and 7plus Sport |
| Grand Final Countdown | 10.30am, Channel 7 and 7plus Sport | 10.00am, Channel 7 and 7plus Sport | 8.30am, Channel 7 and 7plus Sport |
| Grand Final Pre-Game Show | 12.00pm, Channel 7 and 7plus Sport | 11.30am, Channel 7 and 7plus Sport | 10.00am, Channel 7 and 7plus Sport |
| Match broadcast begins | 2.00pm, Channel 7 and 7plus Sport | 1.30pm, Channel 7 and 7plus Sport | 12.00pm, Channel 7 and 7plus Sport |
| First bounce | 2.30pm | 2.00pm | 12.30pm |
| Grand Final presentations | 5.00pm, Channel 7 and 7plus Sport | 4.30pm, Channel 7 and 7plus Sport | 3.00pm, Channel 7 and 7plus Sport |
| Post-match coverage | 6.00pm, 7mate and 7plus Sport | 5.30pm, 7mate and 7plus Sport | 4.00pm, Channel 7 and 7plus Sport |
Jason Richardson hosts the Brunch with Campbell Brown and Kate McCarthy. Rebecca Maddern then leads the Countdown with Matthew Richardson and Brendan Fevola. For the Pre-Game Show, Hamish McLachlan is joined by Nick Riewoldt, Dale Thomas, Daisy Pearce, Luke Hodge, Kane Cornes and Joel Selwood.
After the presentations, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide move to 7mate for the post-match program. Perth remains on Channel 7. Every market can also continue watching through 7plus Sport.
Who is calling Fremantle v Brisbane?
Brian Taylor and James Brayshaw call the Grand Final for Channel 7. Luke Hodge and Kane Cornes provide expert commentary, while Abbey Holmes and 7NEWS Chief Football Reporter Mitch Cleary report from the boundary.
Matthew Richardson delivers goal-kicking analysis from behind the posts. During the main break, Hamish McLachlan is joined by Joel Selwood, Dale Thomas and Nick Riewoldt.
After the siren, Seven will stay at the MCG for the Norm Smith Medal, presentation of the premiership cup and interviews with the major figures from both clubs. Post-match coverage begins at 6.00pm AEST on 7mate and 7plus Sport in the eastern states, and at 4.00pm AWST on Channel 7 and 7plus Sport in Perth.
Weather and what happens if scores are level
The official match-day forecast is partly cloudy in Melbourne, with a top of 19 degrees and a slight chance of a shower.
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If the scores are level at full-time, the teams will play two three-minute periods of additional time plus time-on, changing ends between the periods. If the scores remain level, the additional-time process repeats until there is a winner.
Read TV Central’s complete Channel 7 and 7plus AFL Grand Final guide. Follow the game through the official AFL website and match centre.