THE OPENING bounce of the 2025 Toyota AFL Grand Final will remain at the traditional time of 2.30pm AEST. The AFL Commission has ticked off the recommendation from League CEO Andrew Dillon, ensuring traditionalists will enjoy at least another season decider played out in daytime. Dillon said the THE AFL is pleased to announce the fixture for the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Opening Round through to round 15 have today been released fully fixtured, with rounds 16 to 24 floating, with match ups and venues confirmed. The AFL’s 2025 grand final will again be a daytime affair. League bosses revealed the news on Tuesday, once again resisting calls to hold the game under the MCG lights. The 2025 AFL season is the 129th season of the Australian Football League (AFL), the highest-level senior men's Australian rules football competition in Australia. The season features 18 clubs and will run from 7 March to 27 September, comprising a 23-match home-and-away season over 25 rounds, followed by a four-week finals series featuring the top eight clubs. In the lead up to the Australian Football League Grand Final on Saturday 27th September 2025, catch all the footy fever during AFL Grand Final Week. In 2025 Clubs may receive a maximum of three five-day breaks between matches but are otherwise ensured a minimum six-day break between matches in regularly scheduled rounds. five-day break may be used under the following parameters (excl. ANZAC Round): The 2025 AFL Grand Final starts at 2:30pm (AEST) on Saturday, September 27th, at the iconic MCG. This traditional afternoon time slot has been maintained for yet another year, ensuring a day of unbelievable atmosphere. AFL grand final will start at 2.30pm in 2025 The annual push for a night-time AFL grand final was feverish again this year and now league bosses have made a decision. Tradition has won out and there won’t be an AFL night grand final in 2025, with a daytime start once again locked in. Everything you need to know about the Toyota AFL Finals Series including fixtures, on sale dates, tickets and more. AFL Grand Final 2025 Tickets, Dates, Times, Parade & Entertainment Every year, this sporting event draws footy fans nationwide to Melbourne to watch the Grand Final live at the MCG. The match is shown live on TV for those unable to attend the game. AFL boss Andrew Dillon has confirmed that the 2025 AFL Grand Final will begin at the traditional timeslot of 2:30pm (AEST). The holiday is also referred to as “AFL Grand Final Friday”. In 2025, the AFL Grand Final holiday falls on Friday 26 September. “Grand Final Friday” has been promoted by the current government of Victoria and is a campaign promise kept for the sitting Victorian Premier. The city’s energy builds throughout the day, culminating in a weekend of unforgettable football fever. This day of celebration sets the stage for an exciting AFL Grand Final weekend . Friday 26th September 2025 is a public holiday in Victoria, starting a long weekend that includes the AFL grand final. Grand Final Friday gives Victorians a day off to get ready for the big day, the AFL grand final. The 2025 AFL season is underway and we've outlined the full schedule, draw and fixture list for every round. Opening Round was a dud but Round 1 gave footy lovers what they have been craving all summer. Now we are in full footy swing, check back here often for updates on the schedule and links to individual game previews. Grand Final Day 2025 for the AFL is to be held on the Saturday 27th September and the NRL Grand Final will be held on Sunday 5th October. The AFL Grand Final will be played at the MCG. Grand Final Day A Grand Final parade is held in the week preceding the Grand Final to help celebrate the event and the players and coaches. This traditional parade brings the two competing teams together and is held on the Friday ahead of each AFL Grand Final. The parade is held at the city centre of Melbourne attracting thousands of fans. There is always pre-match entertainment before the AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has today announced the 2025 Toyota AFL Grand Final will begin in its traditional time slot of 2.30pm AEST. Originally published as 2025 AFL GF to remain at traditional 2:30pm slot. The AFL Fans association has urged the league to end its annual guessing game over the Grand Final start time after the league again locked in a 2.30pm Grand Final.
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