AFL Grand Final 2026: How to watch, start time and predictions
Fremantle and Brisbane Lions meet at the MCG on Saturday to decide the 2026 premiership.
Here's everything you need to know to watch, including the start time in your state and which team has the better chance to win on paper.
When is the 2026 AFL Grand Final?
The 2026 AFL Grand Final between Fremantle and Brisbane Lions will take place on Saturday 26 September at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The first bounce is 2:30pm AEST.
The pre-match entertainment starts well before the first bounce, so tune in early if you want the full show.
This year's line-up includes Kylie Minogue, G Flip and Mike Brady, with Michael Paynter singing the national anthem.
How to watch the 2026 AFL Grand Final
The AFL Grand Final is broadcast live and free on Channel 7, and you can also stream it free on 7plus with ads.
If you can't catch it live, you can watch the full replay on Foxtel and Kayo Sports once the match finishes.
Kayo doesn't offer a free trial, but new customers can get its Premium plan for $1 for the first month.
Foxtel offers new customers a 10-day free trial, plus a 12-month discount on its Ultimate bundle. That works out to a saving of $468 over the year.
It includes live TV channels, sports, on-demand movies, drama, documentaries and kids' content.
2026 AFL Grand Final predictions
Fremantle finished the season as minor premiers with a 19-4 record, but its road to the Grand Final hasn't been straightforward.
The Dockers lost their qualifying final to Hawthorn before beating Geelong in the semi-final.
They then trailed Sydney by 28 points in the preliminary final, only to storm home and win 83-71.
It's a huge moment for Fremantle, which has never won a premiership since entering the competition in 1995.
This is also just the club's second Grand Final appearance, following its loss to Hawthorn in 2013.
Brisbane comes into the game as the back-to-back reigning premiers after winning the 2024 and 2025 flags.
The Lions finished third, lost their qualifying final to Sydney, then beat Adelaide in a semi-final before edging Hawthorn 131–122 in a thrilling preliminary final, sealed by a late Hugh McCluggage goal.
A win on Saturday would make it three premierships in a row for Brisbane, matching the rare feat achieved by the Lions from 2001 to 2003 and Hawthorn from 2013 to 2015.
So, who do the experts think will win?
Based on history, Brisbane clearly has the edge, while Fremantle has far less experience at this level.
But the Dockers have already shown they can beat Brisbane, winning by 25 points when the two teams met at the Gabba earlier this season.
With both teams arriving off strong finals performances, it could be a close one.
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