THE 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final between Brisbane and Fremantle starts at 2.30pm AEST on Saturday, September 26.
This will be the first time that these two clubs have faced each other in any final, let alone a Grand Final, in AFL history.
Brisbane is into its fourth consecutive Grand Final and is looking for its third successive premiership, following wins over Sydney in 2024 and Geelong in 2025. If the Lions win, they will be the first team to win three successive premierships since Hawthorn in 2013-15.
The Lions are chasing their sixth premiership as the Brisbane Lions, following the famous three-peat successes in 2001-03 and wins in 2024-25, and their 14th overall as a merged entity including Fitzroy's eight VFL premierships.
Fremantle is into the Grand Final for just the second time in the club's 32 seasons in the AFL, following its loss to Hawthorn in the 2013 decider. If the Dockers win, they will claim the club's first premiership and end the AFL's second-longest current premiership drought behind St Kilda (60 years and counting).
How to watch the Grand Final
Fans in Australia can watch the game on TV exclusively LIVE on Channel Seven and 7plus in 1080p HD. Match coverage begins at 2pm AEST, ahead of the first bounce at 2.30pm AEST.
Fans outside Australia can catch the game via Watch AFL. Check out the full broadcast guide here.
Starting times for those watching around Australia
AEST (local): 2.30pm – ACT, NSW, QLD, TAS, VIC
ACST: 2pm - SA, NT
AWST: 12.30pm – WA
Starting times for those watching around the world
United Kingdom: 5.30am, Saturday
Europe: 6.30am, Saturday
USA: 9.30pm, Friday (west coast); 12.30am, Saturday (east coast)
Dubai: 8.30am, Saturday
New Zealand: 5.30pm, Saturday
Thailand: 11.30am, Saturday
Japan: 1.30pm, Saturday
Bali: 12.30pm, Saturday
Who is performing at the Grand Final?
The Telstra AFL Pre-Match Entertainment will be headlined by Aussie pop icon Kylie Minogue, who will be supported by a host of Australian artists for the Pre-Match Entertainment, including ARIA Award-winning artist G Flip who will open for Kylie; Michael Paynter who will sign the national anthem; and September favourite Mike Brady AM.
Medal and Cup presenters
Geelong great Paul Chapman, who won the 2009 Norm Smith Medal, will present this year's medal to the player judged best on ground.
The Ron Barassi Medal will be presented to the captain of the premiership team by Richmond Team of the Century member Roger Dean, who captained the Tigers to the 1969 premiership.
Sydney's 2005 premiership coach Paul Roos will present the Jock McHale Medal to the winning coach.
Four-time Hawthorn premiership player and two-time Norm Smith medallist Luke Hodge is the Toyota Premiership Cup Ambassador.
What's the weather going to be like?
The forecast for Saturday is partly cloudy, with a top of 18 degrees and a chance of a shower or two in Melbourne.
How to follow the Grand Final on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App
- Live coverage throughout the day including full match centre with all the stats and video highlights
- The latest weather information straight from the Bureau of Meteorology
- Latest pictures from our photographers
- All the news from the game including comprehensive match report, player ratings and in-depth post-match interviews with players and coaches
What happens if scores are level at full-time?
1. Goal umpires confirm scores are identical;
2. There is a six-minute break;
3. Teams change ends;
4. Three minutes of Additional Time shall be played, plus time-on;
5. At the end of the first Additional Time period, the siren will sound and teams will immediately change ends without a break;
6. The ball will be bounced (or thrown up) in the centre and a further three minutes of play (plus time-on) will commence;
7. At the conclusion of this period, the siren will sound and the team with the highest score is declared the winner;
8. If scores are still tied, steps three to eight are repeated until a result is determined.
The following shall also apply for Additional Time periods:
Interchange cap
Clubs shall receive 10 interchanges for the total two x three-minute period (excluding Medical Substitute). Any leftover interchanges from each period of Additional Time do not carry over into a subsequent period.
Runners
Runners may access the playing arena after a goal or a significant stoppage in play (eg. a stretcher is called).
Runners are also permitted to access the playing arena at the conclusion of each three-minute (plus time-on) period of Additional Time as players are changing ends.