Friday Before the AFL Grand Final: The Ultimate Pre-Game Guide
The AFL Grand Final long weekend is an electric time in Australia. With more than 4 million viewers, there is a lot of pressure to throw a spectacular celebration. Being caught off guard by shuttered stores can quickly ruin the fun.
Here's where this guide can help. Consider it your ultimate playbook for the Friday before the AFL Grand Final. We'll break down the 2025 date, look into the event's origins, and offer helpful hints for throwing a memorable backyard football party.
When Is the AFL Grand Final Friday in 2025?
Let's lock in the most important detail so you can start planning.
The AFL Grand Final holiday is a much-anticipated day off for Victorians, marking the official start of the Grand Final festivities. The AFL Grand Final is traditionally held on the last Saturday in September. Based on this, the projected Friday before the AFL Grand Final 2025 is September 26, 2025.
This gives fans a fantastic three-day weekend dedicated to the pinnacle of the 2025 AFL season. As the date gets closer, confirming with the official AFL schedule is always a good idea, but you can confidently pencil this long weekend into your calendar.
How It Started
You might wonder how this footy-focused public holiday came to be. It's a relatively new addition to the calendar with an interesting backstory.
The AFL Grand Final public holiday was officially introduced in Victoria in 2015. The State Government's idea was to create a major statewide celebration, turning the Grand Final into an event that everyone could participate in, not just those with tickets to the game.
The goal was to allow families and fans to attend the iconic AFL Grand Final Parade and other city-based events without taking a day off work or school. It created a 'Super Bowl' Holiday atmosphere, recognising Australian rules football as a sport and a massive cultural institution.
While it faced some debate initially, the day has become a beloved part of the Victorian calendar, signalling the start of a weekend full of passion, community, and sporting spirit.
What Events Happen on the Day
The Friday before the AFL Grand Final is an explosion of excitement, turning Melbourne into a massive footy festival. The day is packed with events that build an incredible buzz leading up to the big game.
Here's a look at what you can expect:
The Grand Final Parade: The Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade is the main event. Thousands of passionate fans line the city streets to cheer on the players from the competing teams. With mascots, marching bands, and a sea of team colours, it's an electric atmosphere you won't want to miss.
Open Training Sessions: You can often catch a final glimpse of your favourite players in action. Many teams hold light, open training sessions, giving fans a sneak peek before the players' biggest match of the year.
Fan Zones: Places like Federation Square and the MCG precinct come to life with enormous screens, mouthwatering food vendors, and fun activities for all ages.
Just remember, the Friday before the AFL Grand Final might affect these hours for public transport, so planning your journey is smart.
How to Celebrate the AFL Grand Final Friday from Home?
If the city crowds aren't for you, hosting a Grand Final celebration at home is a classic Aussie tradition. Here's how to make your backyard bash legendary.
Set the Scene for the Ultimate Backyard Footy Fest
Ditch the crowded living room and take the celebration outside to create the perfect party vibe. Set up a projector for a massive screen experience under the stars. The only catch? This amazing setup usually means running long, messy, and dangerous extension cords across your lawn.
Keep Your Food and Drinks Champion-Level Cold
A Grand Final party isn't right without a classic BBQ and icy drinks. The biggest headache? Keeping everything chilled on a warm day. Running back and forth to the kitchen is a pain, and standard coolers usually become a watery mess long before the final siren sounds.
Elevate your hosting game with the EcoFlow GLACIER Classic Portable Fridge Freezer. This isn't just a cooler; it's a high-tech solution for all your party needs.
Dual-Zone Control: Its clever design lets you set two different temperatures. Keep your sausages and burgers perfectly chilled in one compartment while your drinks stay icy cold in the other.
Massive Capacity: With room for up to 90 cans (55L model), you'll have enough drinks to last from the first bounce to the final siren without restocking.
Off-Grid Power: The optional 298Wh Plug-in Battery is a game-changer, keeping the contents at a perfect 4°C for up to 43 hours. Your celebrations will run out of steam long before the EcoFlow GLACIER Classic Portable Fridge Freezer does.
Smart Control: Thanks to its efficient design and smart app control, you can adjust the temperature from your phone without ever leaving your seat.
With the GLACIER, you can focus on the game, knowing your food is safe and your drinks are perfectly frosty.
Power Everything, Miss Nothing
An epic party needs more than a screen. You'll want booming speakers, lights after sunset, and chargers to keep everyone's phones alive. The catch? Plugging everything in can seriously strain your home's circuits, and relying on multiple power boards is a recipe for a sudden blackout.
The EcoFlow DELTA Pro Portable Power Station offers a reliable power solution. With its expandable capacity of 3.6–25kWh and 3600W–7200W AC output, it can handle 99% of household appliances with ease. From your projector and sound system to a pie warmer, DELTA Pro keeps everything running without a hitch. Thanks to 6500W MultiCharge technology, it recharges in just 2.7 hours via AC, making it a quiet yet mighty guardian for your celebration.
EcoFlow DELTA Pro Portable Power Station
Effortless Portability and Setup
Party setup shouldn't be a workout. Forget lugging heavy, awkward equipment around. These days, lightweight and portable gear makes it simple to move everything into place, so you can focus on celebrating rather than wrestling with cables and bulky appliances.
Ready to host the perfect game day? Here's your simple checklist for a winning Grand Final Friday:
Plan Your Feast: Lock in your menu for food and drinks beforehand.
Chill in Advance: Make sure your drinks and snacks are cooled and ready to go the night before.
Get Powered Up: Ensure your portable power station is completely operational.
Set the Scene: Arrange your seats, decorations, and viewing area.
Kick Back & Enjoy: Simply invite your buddies, light a barbecue, and have a stress-free football day!
You may have a memorable party if you prepare ahead of time and have the appropriate equipment.
Conclusion
More than just a day off, the Friday before the AFL Grand Final celebrates sport, community, and traditional Australian culture. Its history, the anticipated date of 2025, and how to throw the ideal party in your backyard have all been discussed.
Don't let power issues or warm drinks spoil the biggest day on the footy calendar. From keeping drinks icy with the GLACIER fridge to powering your big screen with a DELTA Pro, EcoFlow has you covered.
Ensure your Grand Final weekend is unforgettable by exploring EcoFlow's portable power solutions today. Be the MVP of your party!
FAQs
Where is the 2025 AFL grand final?
When the 2025 AFL Grand Final occurs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), all eyes will be on it. As the heart of Aussie rules, the legendary 'G' is set to host the season's biggest clash. Fans nationwide will flock to this historic venue to soak in the electric atmosphere.
What time is kickoff for the AFL grand final?
The first bounce is usually at 2:30 p.m., so prepare for it. The day's festivities, however, kick off hours earlier, building that legendary Grand Final atmosphere. For the final, locked-in times, always watch the official AFL schedule to catch every thrilling moment from start to finish.
Do shops open on Grand Final Friday?
Heads up, shoppers! The Friday before the AFL Grand Final public holiday will be open. While big stores often have shorter hours, many smaller shops shut for the day. To avoid getting caught short, it's smart to check times online or get all your supplies on Thursday.
What time is the Grand Final Friday parade?
The Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade is the day's main event! While the 2025 schedule isn't set in stone, it typically kicks off at 10:30 a.m. and finishes at 12:30 p.m. on Friday. Melbourne is packed with people for this enormous show, so our best advice is to arrive early to secure a prime viewing location.