The AFL has today announced the 2022 Toyota AFL Grand Final will once again begin in its traditional time slot of 2:30pm AEST on Saturday, September 24 at the MCG. 

The 2022 Toyota AFL Grand Final returns to the MCG for the first time in two years after the pandemic forced the annual AFL premiership-decider interstate.  

AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan said after reviewing the 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final in Perth, while the AFL Executive and Commission acknowledged the great presentation of the twilight event, they shared a strong view that the time slot should remain in its traditional slot for 2022. 

“Prior to the start of this season, we emphasised that after two really challenging years, we all yearned to return to the footy rituals and routines that set the rhythms of our lives, to continue to focus on getting back to football and going to football as we know it,” Mr McLachlan said. 

“That return-to-rituals principle underpinned our decision making in ratifying a traditional start time - the prestige, nostalgia and atmosphere of the day Grand Final is something we all know and love. 

“Our role is to deliver fans the best possible game experience, whether that be at the match or the millions watching the broadcast, and together with our broadcast partner the Seven Network, we remain committed to creating an amazing event, and seeing 100,000 fans return to the MCG on that last Saturday in September.”

"The 2022 Toyota AFL Grand Final is sure to be a fantastic spectacle for both the fans in the stadium and the millions watching around the country and overseas.”  

Local start times by each State / Territory: 
AEST 2:30pm – ACT, NSW, QLD, TAS, VIC 
AWST 12:30pm – WA 
ACST 2:00pm – NT, SA