The AFL grand final is not just a single match – it's a day-long celebration of Aussie Rules.
On Saturday, the first gates at the MCG will open at 8:00 am, with the opening piece of on-field action to begin just over an hour later.
The Sporting News has the full schedule for this year's spectacle.
MORE: All AFL list changes for 2024
AFL grand final schedule
All times AEST.
What time do gates open at the MCG?
Melbourne Cricket Club gates (unreserved seating and standing room) will be the first to open on grand final day at 8:00 am. Gates will open for those with reserved MCC seating from 9:00 am.
General and AFL reserve gates will then open at 9:30 am.
What time is the AFL grand final sprint?
Before the game, two heats will take place to determine the makeup of the final race, with those set to start at 12:15 pm.
The final sprint is scheduled for half-time and will likely begin around 3:40 pm.
What time is the retiring players motorcade?
The AFL's departing stars will be honoured in a motorcade at 1:26 pm.
As per tradition, Mike Brady will perform 'Up There Cazaly' as part of the ceremony at 1:33 pm.
What time is the pre-match entertainment?
Katy Perry will headline the 2024 pre-match entertainment, which is scheduled for a 1:40 pm start.
When do players enter the field?
The match ball will be delivered at 2:11 pm before Brisbane and Sydney enter the MCG at 2:13 pm and 2:15 pm, respectively.
At 2:24 pm, the Premiership Cup will be delivered before the Acknowledgment of Country and national anthem.
What time is the first bounce?
The AFL grand final will begin at 2:30 pm.
What time does the match finish?
The finish time will depend on in-match stoppages, but we can expect the final siren to sound sometime after 5:00 pm.
AFL grand final schedule: Full timings at the MCG
| Event | Time (AEST) |
| MCC gates open (unreserved and standing) | 8:00 am |
| MCC gates open (reserved) | 9:00 am |
| General and AFL reserve gates open | 9:30 am |
| AFL Futures match | 9:35 am |
| AFL sprint heats | 12:15 pm |
| Warm-up | 1:00 pm |
| First Nations ceremony | 1:23 pm |
| Retiring players motorcade | 1:26 pm |
| Mike Brady performance | 1:33 pm |
| Pre-match entertainment: Katy Perry | 1:40 pm |
| Match ball delivered | 2:11 pm |
| Brisbane players enter field | 2:13 pm |
| Sydney players enter field | 2:15 pm |
| Premiership Cup delivered | 2:24 pm |
| Acknowledgement of Country | 2:25 pm |
| Australian national anthem | 2:26 pm |
| Coin toss | 2:28 pm |
| First bounce | 2:30 pm |
| Quarter time | 3:00 pm* |
| Second quarter | 3:06 pm* |
| Half-time | 3:36 pm* |
| Grand final sprint | 3:40 pm* |
| Third quarter | 4:01 pm* |
| Three-quarter time | 4:31 pm* |
| Fourth quarter | 4:37 pm* |
| Final siren | 5:07 pm* |
| Post-match presentation | 5:20 pm* |
*Approximate time
