Grand Final Week preview: What’s happening in Melbourne

Victorians will be gripped by footy fever this week ahead of the AFL Grand Final. Here’s all the action fans can expect in Melbourne before the big game.

Footy fans lucky enough to have their teams in the AFL Grand Final will be checking their bank accounts frantically for notifications on Sunday — or making alternative viewing arrangements.

Members of competing clubs who signed up for Grand Final ticket ballots last week will begin having their credit cards debited from today (Sunday) if successful.

Formal notification on whether members scored the hottest tickets in town will be made on Monday, with the AFL to make 17,500 seats available to members of each team in the premiership decider.

Regardless of whether they have a seat at the MCG for Saturday’s sporting showcase, or a spot at pubs, loungerooms or backyard BBQ’s, Victorians will be gripped by footy fever this week.

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon says the stage is set for action. Picture: Getty Images

From Monday’s Brownlow Medal to the free Footy Festival in Yarra Park from Wednesday. Friday’s Grand Final Parade and Saturday’s main event, AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said the stage was set for action.

“It’s been an incredible AFL premiership season with record crowds, record club memberships and one of the closest competitions in memory,’’ he said.

“The finals series across four states has delivered some unbelievable matches and we’re excited for a massive week ahead before the AFL Grand Final on Saturday.’’

Victorians will be gripped by footy fever this week. Picture by Jason Edwards

AFL members will have a staggered sequence of ticket sales, with tickets for gold supporters of competing teams on sale from 2-4pm Sunday.

Other gold AFL members will get a shot at seats from 2-4pm Monday.

Silver AFL members tickets will go on sale Tuesday, if available.

And with MCC members already snapping up their allocation of reserved tickets, members will need to line up for unreserved seats on grand final day.

Only in Melbourne would workers have a public holiday the Friday before a footy game to meet with family and friends and watch the AFL Grand Final Parade.

The parade will start from 10am following a revamped route from Melbourne Park Oval, through the city’s iconic sports precinct, Birrarung Marr and ending in Yarra Park outside the MCG.

Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos says Australia’s sporting capital will take centre stage. Picture: Getty Images

With the last Saturday in September set to serve up the latest instalment of sporting history, Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos said Australia’s sporting capital would take centre stage.

“Melbourne will always be the home of the Grand Final — it’s one of the highlights of our major events calendar and draws visitors from right across Australia,’’ he said.

“Last year more than 225,000 people attended the events over the Grand Final week, and this year we’re aiming for even more.”

An extended free tram zone will also get fans to the footy for free on Grand Final Day.

2024 AFL Grand Final Week events

Monday

Brownlow Red Carpet at Crown from 7.30pm.

Brownlow Medal count from 8pm.

Wednesday

Footy Festival opens at Yarra Park beside the MCG and runs from 10am-9pm.

Highlights include the Schweppes Ice Rink, the Carlton Pub, The Lawn for premium food and beverage, plus AFL and AFLW player signing sessions.

Thursday

Footy Festival at Yarra Park from 10am-9pm.

Friday

Footy Festival at Yarra Park from 9am-9pm.

Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade starts at Melbourne Park Oval at 10.30am, travels through Birrarung Marr and finishes about midday at Yarra Park.

Saturday

Footy Festival at Yarra Park from 8am-10pm.

AFL Futures Game (under-17 boys): Team Heppell v. Team Sloane, MCG, 9.35am.

2024 Toyota AFL Grand Final: MCG, 2.30pm.

 

Monday

6pm: AFL360

7pm: On the Couch

Tuesday & Wednesday

6.30pm: AFL360

7.30pm: Midweek Tackle

Thursday

6.30pm: AFL360 (90-minute grand final special)