Fox Footy and Kayo Sports Grand Final week: North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast returns – Fox Footy and Kayo Sports have laid out a full week of AFL programming before the 2026 Grand Final. Their coverage stretches from Monday’s analysis shows to Saturday’s North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast and an evening replay of the match.
For viewers, the key distinction is between the build-up and the match itself. Fox Footy and Kayo will cover the parade, breakfast and Grand Final Day from the MCG, then screen a 6pm replay. The AFL’s broadcast-rights guide says the Grand Final is live on Channel 7 and 7plus.
The breakfast is the centrepiece of Fox Footy’s Saturday schedule. Meanwhile, weekday editions of AFL 360, On The Couch and Midweek Tackle will track the final storylines. The programme also makes room for four AFLW matches on Friday.
North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast marks 60 years
The 2026 Mazda North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast, powered by Kayo Sports, begins at 9am on Saturday 26 September. Fox Footy will carry it live from the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, with Sarah Jones hosting. This is the breakfast’s 60th consecutive year.
Three panels will bring together former premiership players, coaches and Fox Footy analysts. Modern Dynasties features Jordan Lewis, Simon Black and Tom Hawkins. From the Coaches’ Box brings Damien Hardwick, Adam Simpson and Craig McRae to the stage.
David King and Leigh Montagna will then deliver First Crack: Grand Final Preview. King, a North Melbourne great, called the breakfast one of the AFL Grand Final’s enduring traditions. He said it still brings his club and the broader football community together on the game’s biggest morning.
Fox Footy’s build-up from Monday to Friday
Grand Final week starts with special Monday times: AFL 360 moves to 6pm and On The Couch follows at 7pm. On both Tuesday and Wednesday, AFL 360 airs at 6.30pm, followed by Midweek Tackle at 7.30pm.
Thursday’s AFL 360 Grand Final Special begins at 6.30pm. Collingwood’s Nick Daicos is scheduled to join Gerard Whateley and Garry Lyon at the desk. At 7pm, Fox Footy and Kayo also have AFLW coverage as Geelong meets Hawthorn.
The focus moves to Melbourne’s streets on Friday. Coverage of the Grand Final Parade begins at 10am as the competing teams travel through the city. Later, Bounce Grand Final starts at 7pm. Jason Dunstall, Andrew Gaze, Cam Mooney, Ben Dixon and Bernie Vince will revisit the season’s lighter moments.
Friday also delivers a run of AFLW games: Essendon versus West Coast at noon, Western Bulldogs versus Port Adelaide at 2pm, Carlton versus Richmond at 4pm, and Melbourne versus North Melbourne at 7pm. The final fixture overlaps with Bounce, giving viewers two different options at that hour.
Saturday at the MCG and the 6pm replay
After the 9am breakfast, Fox Footy and Kayo go live from the MCG at 10am for Grand Final Day on Fox. The coverage will look back at the season and preview the premiership decider before the opening bounce.
Fox Footy’s Grand Final coverage resumes at 6pm with a full match replay. Anthony Hudson, Dwayne Russell, Garry Lyon and Jason Dunstall provide commentary. The replay includes reactions recorded by Kayo’s expert commentary team as the game unfolded.
Fox Sports managing director Steve Crawley said the week has a reach beyond the match itself. He pointed to Kayo Sports’ analysts and presenters as the reason the service can stay with fans from the early build-up to Grand Final night.
Jonathan Brown said Brisbane’s preliminary-final performance had given the Lions a chance at a three-peat. He also reflected on Grand Final week from both sides of the boundary: trying to remain focused as a player, then enjoying Melbourne’s atmosphere as a supporter and broadcaster.
Watch the Fox Footy Grand Final Day promo
Kayo Sports supplied a Grand Final Day promo with the announcement. Watch it here without leaving the story:
Fox Footy and Kayo Sports Grand Final Day promo. Video: Kayo Sports
Grand Final week on Fox Footy and Kayo Sports: full schedule
All times below are Australian Eastern Standard Time. Fox Footy is available through Foxtel and Kayo Sports; check your local listings for any changes.
| Day | Time | Programme or event |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 21 September | 6pm | AFL 360 (special time) |
| Monday 21 September | 7pm | On The Couch (special time) |
| Tuesday 22 September | 6.30pm | AFL 360 |
| Tuesday 22 September | 7.30pm | Midweek Tackle |
| Wednesday 23 September | 6.30pm | AFL 360 |
| Wednesday 23 September | 7.30pm | Midweek Tackle |
| Thursday 24 September | 6.30pm | AFL 360 Grand Final Special with Nick Daicos |
| Thursday 24 September | 7pm | AFLW: Geelong v Hawthorn |
| Friday 25 September | 10am | Grand Final Parade |
| Friday 25 September | Noon | AFLW: Essendon v West Coast |
| Friday 25 September | 2pm | AFLW: Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide |
| Friday 25 September | 4pm | AFLW: Carlton v Richmond |
| Friday 25 September | 7pm | Bounce Grand Final Special |
| Friday 25 September | 7pm | AFLW: Melbourne v North Melbourne |
| Saturday 26 September | 9am | North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast |
| Saturday 26 September | 10am | Grand Final Day on Fox, live from the MCG |
| Saturday 26 September | 6pm | AFL Grand Final replay with Fox Footy/Kayo commentary |
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