THE AFL, in partnership with the Victorian Government, has today announced the return of the much-loved Grand Final Footy Festival in Yarra Park, with valued partner Macca's coming on board as the naming rights partner for 2025.

The Macca's Footy Fest - with free entry for all - will return to Yarra Park outside the MCG from Wednesday 24 September through to Saturday 27 September, offering a myriad of fun events and activities for fans of all ages as Grand Final fever hits Melbourne.

This year's festival will see a host of bumper new attractions, headlined by the Toyota Legendary Dodgems, allowing fans able to get behind the wheel of club-themed dodgem cars for free across all four days of the event.

Fans are encouraged to make the most of the school holidays and soak up all the free activities at the Macca's Footy Fest including the Macca's Swings and Captain's Card photo booth, AAMI Centre Circle Bounce, the Telstra Studio, Coles Healthy Kicks, AFL Play Zone, Bunnings Legends BBQ, Virgin Australia Mark of the Year and a variety of live shows and entertainment on the TCL Main Stage.

For the first time this year fans will be able to purchase a Sherrin from the AFL Superstore and get it personally engraved for free on site, plus at the Superstore fans can purchase all their Grand Final week threads and more.

AFL Executive General Manager Customer and Consumer Bec Haagsma, said the Macca's Footy Fest will be bigger and better than ever and thanked the Victorian Government and league partners for their support of the event.

"The AFL is delighted to once again have the Macca's Footy Fest on offer during Grand Final week, it's always a highlight for fans who descend upon the precinct from all over the country to immerse themselves in the biggest week on the footy calendar," Haagsma said.

"We are pleased to partner with the Victorian Government and to have Macca's as the Festival naming rights partner and Toyota bringing the Legendary Dodgems to the Festival, it will be another thrilling four days of fun for fans as we celebrate an incredible season.

"There is something for everyone - from the free activations, TCL main stage offerings to the AFL Play Zone, it’s a great opportunity to come along and enjoy Grand Final week."

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said the Macca's Footy Fest has quickly become a quintessential part of Grand Final Week and the Victorian Government is proud to help deliver free family entertainment over four days.

"There's no better place to be in the build up to the 2025 AFL Grand Final in Melbourne than at Yarra Park in the shadow of the mighty MCG.

"The free Footy Fest is the ideal place for the whole family to get together and enjoy free activities during the school holidays."

Mary Vrancic, Marketing Director for Macca’s said "We’re excited to be bringing Macca's Footy Fest to life. At Macca's we show up for the communities that have supported us for over 50 years. From local footy clubs to the big stage of the AFL, we continue to proudly back Aussie sport at every level.

"We can’t wait to get to Yarra Park and do what we love: bringing people and families together for a great time. We’ll see you there!"

Macca’s Ambassador and Essendon NAB AFLW star Bonnie Toogood said "There’s so much footy fever grand final week, and the Macca's Footy Fest is an awesome day out for fans of all ages."

Geelong Premiership Player Zach Tuohy said "I will definitely be bringing the family down to the Macca's Footy Fest this year, it's such a great event and there's something for everyone! Hopefully the Cats are playing in the Grand Final for an even a bigger and better Grand Final week!"

Returning to Yarra Park will also be 'The Pub', hosted by Carlton Draught, providing footy fans aged 18+ the next best seat beside the MCG. 'The Pub' will be open from Preliminary Final weekend and will host events across each night of Macca's Footy Fest, including for the first time ever a 'Bingo Night' during the live broadcast of the Brownlow Medal, Pub Trivia with Grand Final tickets on offer, music and entertainment, and a watch party on Grand Final Day.

Fans can also get up-close and personal with the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Cup making appearances at various partner activations across the four days and have the chance to take a selfie and grab an autograph from some of their AFL and AFLW footy heroes every day of the festival.

The 2025 Macca's Footy Fest will be open from 10am on the Wednesday and Thursday, 9am on Friday and from 8am on Saturday for the 2025 Toyota AFL Grand Final.

Big screens will be broadcasting the 2025 Toyota AFL Grand Final thanks to Channel 7 at the Macca's Footy Fest, while 'The Pub' will also be showing the match and will be open until late with live music.

Further details of the Macca's Footy Fest, including player appearances, giveaways, activities for adults and kids, food and beverage offerings, and surrounding events will be released in due course.

For more information on the 2025 Macca's Footy Fest head to footyfest.AFL