How the sporting calendar would look if the AFL pushes back the grand final into October

Following Eddie McGuire’s report that the AFL could push the grand final back into October, take a look at how the sporting calendar would shape up — with racing officials on high alert.

Eddie McGuire has reported the AFL is looking at a big fixture change.

Early discussions over pushing the AFL grand final back into mid-October from 2026 have taken horse racing by surprise as officials vow to protect their spring patch.

Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron Morrison said the organisation would seek clarity from the AFL after former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire reported radical fixture changes were being discussed including a later grand final.

The AFL would not comment on the report, but it is understood there have been no formal talks about shifting the season decider.

McGuire, who sits on the MCG Trust and is a Visit Victoria director, said the league was planning to reintroduce State of Origin football in March next year, which would delay the home and away season start by two weeks.

“A later start means a later finish … a grand final in the second weekend of October,” McGuire told Footy Classified.

“It would mean the AFL’s three biggest games – the preliminary finals and the grand final – would have clear air away from competing codes like the NRL, which would make for massive ratings.”

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The shift would also avoid AFL home and away games clashing with the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne, and McGuire said it would lead to a pre-finals bye in mid-September for the NFL to stage its historic regular season game at the MCG, which will feature the LA Rams.

A later season start in 2027 would keep the MCG clear for the one-off 150th Anniversary Test between Australia and England, which is slated for March.

The AFL said any decisions about the fixturing of major events would be made after thorough consultation with a range of stakeholders across venues and other sports.

A mid-October grand final in 2026 would clash with either the Caulfield Guineas (October 10) or Caulfield Cup (October 17), which Morrison said would be “detrimental” to the spring racing carnival.

The AFL Grand Final could be pushed back. Picture: NewsWire/Nadir Kinani

“We’ve not received a proposal from anyone and while we are aware there are discussions around some of the major events in Victoria, we understand that nothing has been officially endorsed by the Victorian Government or AFL at this time,” Morrison said.

“On first pass, this idea could be detrimental to the spring racing carnival which is one of Australia’s most significant major events and an important social and economic contributor, both in metropolitan Melbourne and country Victoria.

“Moving the AFL grand final back into October could have an impact on the spring racing carnival in terms of engagement, share of voice and programming.

“We’ll be taking this up with the relevant parties to understand more around the idea and to ensure they’re clear that we are committed to protecting the spring racing carnival and the benefits it delivers to Victoria, our clubs and our participants.”

Racing will be impacted by the AFL’s decision. Picture: Getty Images

An AFL-racing clash could not be avoided during the pandemic – the historic Gabba night grand final in 2020 was held at the same time as the Cox Plate, which ran without crowds in Victoria.

The push for State of Origin to return to the AFL calendar comes as momentum also grows for an International Rules comeback.

League administrators Josh Mahoney and Ned Guy returned this week from a trip to Ireland to discuss reviving the series with GAA officials.

The league has enough Irish AFLW-listed players to easily stage its own exhibition game without assistance from the GAA, but that is not the case on the men’s side.

Originally published as How the sporting calendar would look if the AFL pushes back the grand final into October