Snoop or Ed? Rumours swirl around this year’s AFL Grand Final show

The AFL has a whopping budget to lure a global artist for a revved up production of this year’s Grand Final pre-game extravaganza — and these two megastars are tipped to be in the running.

Ed Sheeran and Snoop Dogg are at the top of the Grand Final entertainment list following the success of Katy Perry.

Drop it like it’s hot.

The AFL’s new commitment to megastar overseas acts has rapper Snoop Dogg and fan favourite Ed Sheeran at the top of the Grand Final entertainment wish list.

Negotiations are now at the pointy end, with lead executives nervously awaiting confirmation, potentially by early next week, of who will follow in the footsteps of last year’s stunning success of Katy Perry.

It’s understood the league has a budget of about $2m to lure the global artist, including a revved up world class production of the pre-game extravaganza in late September.

The Snoop Dogg rumour gained momentum this week and it is understood he is the current frontrunner.

Snoop Dogg has had a glow-up in recent times.

The once controversial figure has had an image glow-up in recent times and was a break out star at last year’s Paris Olympics in his role as the unofficial mascot for Team USA.

He certainly knows how to drop it like its hot, having performed at the NFL Super Bowl half time performance with Dr Dre, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem in 2022.

The 53-year-old rapper will perform two days before the Grand Final with Dr Dre and Ice Cube in the Philippines. Given it’s just an eight hour flight to Melbourne, the stars are aligning for the Dogg to be at the ‘G.

Ed Sheeran is a force down under. Picture: Zak Walters

Elsewhere Ed Sheeran is a force Down Under and is well versed on the hallowed turf of the MCG. The close friend of late cricket great Shane Warne had sold out stadium shows, the biggest to ever be held in the country in 2023, beating Taylor Swift’s Eras tour in sheer numbers.

Considered like family by late Mushroom boss Michael Gudinski, Sheeran has strong ties with Live Nation, the touring company the AFL uses to secure its international music acts for the big dance each year.

Katy Perry was a stunning success last year. Picture: David Caird

Kylie Minogue lives at No.1 on the wish list at AFL house who just can’t get the Aussie pop princess outta their head. But the inside mail is this year is unlikely, but the prospect of the gold hotpants spinning around is getting closer and closer.

The Foo Fighters were also sounded out, but they are contracted to do this year’s Singapore F1 Grand Prix with a caveat not to perform anywhere else in Asia in the calendar year. Australian rockers AC/DC would have been a thunderstruck moment but despite an upcoming Down Under tour, their price range is out of reach. Money talks.

The embarrassing Meatloaf era is now long forgotten.

The embarrassing Meatloaf era is now long forgotten, with new chief Andrew Dillon determined to keep levelling up for the best around the world to be the showpiece of the AFL’s biggest day. The Killers amazing performance in 2107 opened the eyes to executives spending big money on proper international acts was worth every cent and a turning point in the AFL GF entertainment schedule. Robbie Williams solidified the pre game event in 2022, while legendary band KISS kept the momentum going in 2023 before Perry smashed it out of the park last year.

Kylie Minogue lives at No.1 on the wish list at AFL house. Picture: Getty Images

“The pre-game entertainment at the AFL Grand Final is always a talking point and we’re hoping to make an announcement shortly,” AFL spokesman Jay Allen told Page 13.

“We are excited to deliver another world-class show in front of 100,000 fans at the ‘G and the millions more watching the broadcast ahead of the biggest game of the season.”

The MCG is about to start crip walking!

Originally published as Snoop or Ed? Rumours swirl around this year’s AFL Grand Final show