The timing of the Australian Football League (AFL) pre-game entertainment can vary slightly each year, but it generally follows a predictable schedule leading up to the main event; While specific start times are often announced closer to the Grand Final date, we can glean a clear understanding from past events and upcoming schedules․
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General Schedule Insights
AFL Grand Final days are typically packed with events, starting early in the morning․ The pre-game entertainment, a highlight for many fans, is strategically placed to build anticipation before the first bounce․ Based on information from the 2025 AFL Grand Final schedule, we can observe a pattern:
- Gate Openings: Gates to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) usually open around 8 am or 9 am for general admission and AFL Reserve ticket holders․
- Broadcast Coverage: Major television networks like Seven Network and Fox Footy commence their pre-match coverage around 9 am․
- Curtain-Raiser Matches: Often, a curtain-raiser match, such as a Grand Final sprint or a VFL game, takes place before the main event․ This usually kicks off around 9:35 am․
- Pre-Match Entertainment: The headline pre-game entertainment, featuring major musical acts, typically begins to ramp up around 1 pm․ This is a crucial period to allow ample time for performances and the build-up to the teams’ introduction․
Key Performances and Their Timings
Past AFL Grand Finals have seen a range of international and Australian artists provide the pre-game spectacle․ The timing of these performances is designed to be a significant part of the afternoon’s festivities․
Snoop Dogg at the 2025 AFL Grand Final
For the 2025 AFL Grand Final, featuring a clash between the Geelong Cats and the Brisbane Lions, global music icon Snoop Dogg was slated to headline the Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment․ This significant performance was expected to commence around 1 pm․ This timing allows for the entertainment to be a central focus of the afternoon before the teams are presented and the match commences․
Robbie Williams and Meat Loaf: Fan Favorites
Discussions on platforms like Reddit highlight fan experiences with past pre-game entertainment․ While specific timings aren’t always recalled, the sentiment suggests these performances are a key part of the Grand Final experience; The hype for artists like Robbie Williams and Meat Loaf indicates the importance fans place on these musical interludes, which are integrated into the broader pre-match program․
