Source : ABC NEWS
The 2026 AFL grand final is almost upon us, as the Brisbane Lions look to make history with their second threepeat in 25 years, and the Fremantle Dockers look to win their first flag since joining the league in 1995.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game.
When is the 2026 AFL grand final?
The game starts 2.30pm (AEST) on Saturday, September 26 at the MCG.
That’s 12.30pm for those watching in Western Australia, and 2pm for South Australia.
Which teams are playing in the grand final?
The Brisbane Lions are facing off with the Fremantle Dockers.
This is Brisbane’s fourth grand final in a row, losing to Collingwood in 2023, before beating Sydney and Geelong in the following years.
Should they win, it would be the second threepeat in their history, following 2001-2003, and it would see them join Melbourne (1939-41 and 1955-57) as one of the only two teams to record the feat twice.
Meanwhile, Fremantle is yet to win a premiership after joining the league in 1995. This is the club’s second grand final following its loss to Hawthorn in 2013.
Over their past six games against each other, the ledger is tied at 3-3, with the Dockers winning their most recent clash at the Gabba in round 13 this year.
How can you watch watch and listen to the grand final?
The game will be on Channel 7 and 7Plus, but be very aware that it will not be shown on Kayo or Fox Sports. It is the only game of the entire AFL season that is exclusive to Channel 7.
To listen to the grand final, join your local ABC Sport radio team, and follow along with the ABC Sport live blog at abc.net.au.
When will Kylie Minogue be performing?
Australia’s pop princess should be on stage from about 1.30pm. Again, be very aware that Minogue’s performance is pre-game and is not halftime entertainment. There is no halftime entertainment.
Other performers will be G Flip, musical actor Michael Paynter on the national anthem, and of course Mike Brady doing Up There Cazaly during the retiree motorcade.
The Wiggles will be performing at Friday’s grand final parade through Melbourne.
Who will be lining up for the Lions and Dockers?
At this point we don’t know.
Teams will be announced about 6pm (AEST) today, but before that we’ll have to see if Lions superstar Lachie Neale’s tribunal appeal against a one-match ban gets up.
ABC Sport’s Andrew McGarry will be live blogging every moment of the appeal, with the case set to get underway at 4pm.
Should Neale miss out, Noah Answerth is the most likely player to come in for the Lions. The injured Brennan Cox is a chance to come in for the Dockers, but it looks odds on that the Dockers will be unchanged from their preliminary final victory over the Swans.
Who will present the cup to the winners?
The Lions have picked Simon Black, a Brownlow medallist and champion midfielder from that first threepeat, while the Dockers have gone with Shaun McManus, who debuted in Fremantle’s inaugural season before playing 228 games.
