Fireworks expected as AFL closes in on locking in Katy Perry as the entertainment on grand final day

The AFL is closing in on confirming its entertainment for the 2024 grand final, hoping to rival shows from The Killers, KISS and Robbie Williams in recent years. JAY CLARK has the exclusive details.

Katy Perry performing at the MCG after the 2020 Women’s cricket 50 over World Cup. Picture: Mark Stewart

The AFL is close to inking a stunning deal for international pop star Katy Perry to headline its Grand Final entertainment spectacular this year.

Perry would be a huge coup for the league considering her status as one of the world’s top female artists, following on from brilliant performances from global superstars KISS, Robbie Williams and The Killers in recent years.

Perry – who is married to Pirates of the Caribbean star Orlando Bloom – has more than 56 million monthly Spotify plays and boasts several mega-hits including Roar, Firework, Teenage Dream, Dark Horse and Last Friday Night (TGIF).

The 39-year-old hasn’t toured Australia since 2014, but rocked the MCG ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup final between Australia and India in 2020, just before the Covid pandemic shut the nation down.

Katy Perry performs with the Australian women's cricket team after the Women's T20 World Cup final match in March 2020. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour.

The league has made no secret it wants to attract some of the biggest names for its showpiece event in front of 100,000 fans to the MCG and a television audience of about four million.

Pending AFL Commission approval, the Grand Final is expected to be a daytime event on Saturday, September 28.

Perry, recently teased her next album, saying she looked forward to making a record “from a place of feeling really happy and whole and full of love”.

She said it would be “fun, playful and celebratory and a party is what it is.”

The Herald Sun can reveal the AFL is in advanced stages of talks with Perry’s management about a multimillion-dollar deal.

Music sources said this year’s event promised to be “absolutely outstanding”.

League spokesman Jay Allen said the AFL would confirm the first-class line-up shortly as the home and away season reaches its thrilling crescendo next month.

Thirteen teams remain in the finals hunt with seven rounds remaining.

“In recent years the Toyota AFL Grand Final headline performances have been world class and we are excited to deliver another spectacular show ahead of the biggest game of the season,” Allen said.

“We will be in a position to make an announcement on this year’s Telstra pre-game entertainment shortly.”

Robbie Williams was part of a run of top-tier performances during the AFL grand final in recent years, performing in 2022. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

KISS perform at the 2023 AFL Grand Final at the MCG. Picture Lachie Millard

Perry, who has more than 206 million followers on Instagram, promises to be a popular selection due to the breadth and scope of the US singer’s fan base including younger and older audiences.

She last played a private show in Melbourne for billionaire cardboard king Anthony Pratt in February.

The AFL has previously targeted rock legend Bruce Springsteen, pop queen Kylie Minogue and megastar act Coldplay.

The MCG is expected to pull off another showstopping event after hosting three sold-out concerts for international phenomenon Taylor Swift in February this year.