When is the AFL Grand Final 2023? Start time for showpiece event

Bryn Wakefield

When is the AFL Grand Final 2023? Start time for showpiece event image

The 2023 AFL Grand Final will be contested between Collingwood and Brisbane at the MCG in a traditional timeslot.

It's the finale of this year's football season, where the Magpies and Lions will battle it out for the coveted premiership trophy. 

Nearly three million people tuned in to view last year’s spectacle, with an even greater viewership anticipated this year. 

The Sporting News has all the details for the 2023 AFL Grand Final. 

When is the AFL Grand Final in 2023?

The AFL Grand Final will take place on Saturday, September 30th, with the game to commence at 2:30pm (AEST).

With an extra round this season, the event has come later than usual but will still land on the usual final Saturday of September timeslot. 

The first day of finals began on September 7th, following a pre-finals bye round — in which the AFLW season kicked off. 

MORE: Brisbane home record 2023: Lions complete rare AFL feat at Gabba

What time does the 2023 AFL Grand Final Start?

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan announced in May that the Grand Final would be sticking to a traditional afternoon timeslot. 

Gillon McLachlan AFL
Getty Images

The AFL has previously experimented with night fixtures for the event, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

Grand Final broadcasts will be starting as early as 9:00am AEST on Channel 7, with pregame coverage to start at 12:00pm. 

AFL Grand Final Start Time

ACT NSW QLD VIC TAS SA NT WA
2:30pm 2:30pm 2:30pm 2:30pm 2:30pm 2:00pm 2:00pm 12:30pm

When will the AFL Grand Final finish? 

AFL matches run for roughly two and half hours, which means the Grand Final match will likely end at 5pm AEST, but the spectacle doesn’t end there. 

The trophy presentation begins shortly after the final siren, with the winning teams awarded their premiership medals. 

The Norm Smith medal for best on ground will also be presented, while the captains of each team and the winning coach will give short speeches. 

Who is playing in the 2023 AFL Grand Final?

Collingwood and Brisbane will meet in the Grand Final, having both won their respective preliminary finals. 

The Magpies have held the top spot on the ladder for most of the year, while Brisbane finished the season strongly to take the second spot. 

Lions midfielder Lachie Neale notably won the Brownlow Medal and is among the team's biggest stars, with the club also boasting a dangerous forward line led by Joe Daniher and Charlie Cameron.

Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos has earned deserved praise for his stellar second season, and will be hoping to play a big role in a premiership win.

Nick Daicos Collingwood
Getty Images

What is the 2023 AFL Grand Final entertainment?

The AFL has announced that KISS, known for hits 'Rock And Roll All Nite' and 'I Was Made For Loving You', will headline the pre-game entertainment. 

The news comes after Australian rock band Crowded House pulled out of the slot earlier in the year. 

KISS, who are in Australia for their 'End of the Road' world tour, accepted an approach by the AFL for the prestigious pre-game slot.

“Thanks to Telstra, we will be performing at the 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final. We cannot wait to create rock 'n' roll history playing at the iconic MCG in Melbourne for one last time," the band said in a statement. 

"We’re absolutely thrilled to be to be performing in front of 100,000 footy fans at the biggest and best sporting event in the country! Be ready to ROCK as we’ll be coming full throttle into the 'G. See you for that One Day in September!" 

Bryn Wakefield

Bryn Wakefield Photo
Bryn is a content producer for Sporting News, covering AFL and Australian Rules Football. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, he has thrived in the passionate sporting city, desperate for ultimate success despite its underdog tag.