Ed Sheeran rumoured to play pre-match show before AFL’s Opening Round clash

Superstar singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran is rumoured to be set to perform at one of the AFL’s showpiece events next season.

Former AFL star Brendan Fevola claims international superstar Ed Sheeran will be the pre-game entertainment for a clash at the MCG in the AFL’s Opening Round next season.

In the coming weeks, the AFL will release its full fixture list for the 2026 season, with the controversial pre-Round 1 event set to continue, but with one major change.

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The AFL ‘Opening Round’ was designed to give non-Victorian clubs extra exposure.

But after mounting complaints that it robs Victorian fans, the AFL is set to add a Melbourne game alongside the two in Sydney and Brisbane next season.

It will mean Melbourne will be the place to be in March, with AFL action, the Australian Grand Prix and Sheeran touring all happening at once.

According to Fevola, the AFL are looking at getting Sheeran to play pre-game, since he will already be in the country.

The British pop star is playing three shows at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium before heading to Adelaide for one show on March 5 – the Thursday before the Opening Round.

Fevola says he will then be back in Melbourne ahead of the Grand Prix, and then the sole AFL match that weekend, where he will perform pre-game.

“They’re going to play on the weekend of the Grand Prix, so there are going to be a lot of tourists and visitors in Melbourne,” Fevola said on The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick show on Wednesday.

Ed Sheeran is rumoured to be set to play at the AFL Opening Round. Image: Getty

“It’s going to be a Sunday night game, twilight game. After the Grand Prix finishes, they’re going to play at the MCG.

“Now, one of the biggest superstars in the world is also going to be in town: one Ed Sheeran.

“He’s a massive St Kilda supporter, (has been) best mates with Shane Warne, been to St Kilda games, loves St Kilda. Word has it that Ed Sheeran is going to open the AFL premiership season and do a concert before the game.

“He’s going to get on stage at the MCG, sing a couple of songs, a bit like the pre-game entertainment before an AFL grand final, like Snoop Dogg (this year).

“Ed Sheeran’s going to play before Collingwood and St Kilda with the Formula 1 on, all the tourists, there’ll be 100,000 people at the MCG to watch Collingwood play St Kilda.”

Sheeran previously performed at the 2014 AFL grand final alongside Tom Jones.