A giant blow up Sherrin football in a park.

AFL fan's guide to the footy in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Discover the best spots to watch the footy in ³Ô¹ÏÍø. Lock in some long weekend fun on the Grand Final Day public holiday. Then find the best restaurants to eat before and after the game.

When is the grand final public holiday in 2025?

The public holiday will be on Friday 26 September, the day before the AFL Grand Final. The MCG will once again host the AFL Grand Final, on Saturday 27 September 2025.

Featured

A person holding a football in their hand against a wall

What's open on the grand final long weekend

The best free and fun events to visit during the AFL Grand Final public holiday

The MCG lit up at night.

Where to watch the AFL Grand Final in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Wondering where to watch the 2025 AFL Grand Final in ³Ô¹ÏÍø? Try these bars and pubs.

People walking beneath a large sports stadium at night

Where to eat near the MCG and Marvel Stadium

Heading to a game? Here’s where to stop off for pre or post-event feasting.

Footy fun in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Aerial view of ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cricket Ground (MCG) showing oval-shaped open air stadium surrounded by parklands.

³Ô¹ÏÍø Cricket Ground (MCG)

The largest stadium in the southern hemisphere and arguably Australia's sporting mecca.

Aerial view of Marvel Stadium lit up at night.

Marvel Stadium

A multi-purpose stadium in the heart of ³Ô¹ÏÍø's Docklands precinct.

Three people standing for a selfie on the ground at the MCG.
Until

Sports Precinct Walking Tour

Explore ³Ô¹ÏÍø's sports precinct on foot with a local guide, including a tour of the MCG.

Museum displays featuring a kangaroo and emu wearing sports socks.

Australian Sports Museum

The Australian Sports Museum proudly features the largest sporting collection in the country.

A mall group tour on the MCG field, led by a guide wearing a striped blazer, stands in the background.

MCG Tours

Take a guided tour of the ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cricket Ground.

More footy dining inspo

People dining in a laneway outside an old cottage-style city pub.

³Ô¹ÏÍø’s best old-school pubs and bars

Sip your way back in time and soak in the atmosphere at these historic establishments.

Plate with pies and sausage rolls on it.

The best pies in ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Buttery pastry and tasty fillings: here's where to find ³Ô¹ÏÍø's best pies.

A crowd of people are drinking and eating a pub

³Ô¹ÏÍø’s best pub deals

Find ³Ô¹ÏÍø's best parma deals, steak nights and cheap pub eats.

A group of three friends walking beneath fairy lights in a courtyard

³Ô¹ÏÍø's best beer gardens

Soak up the sunshine with riverside cocktails and ales among historic architecture.

Only In The City

Only in this City of Ours
A family of four standing in a grand library with antique desks, large white walls and a dome ceiling.

Things you can only do in the city

There's only one place to find these rare ³Ô¹ÏÍø experiences and secret spots.

A Ferris wheel in the city at sunset with colourful reflections on the river.

³Ô¹ÏÍø’s most Instagrammable experiences

You won't need filters at the city's most photogenic spots.

People including a man in a wheelchair heading down a laneway past a large tropical-themed wall mural with city buildings in the background.

Meyers Place

Explore one of ³Ô¹ÏÍø's most iconic laneways, filled with bars, restaurants and murals.

Discover more

A crown at the football and a young girl holding a sign saying GO PIES.

AFL Round 3: Collingwood v GWS Giants

Don't miss this huge clash between the Pies and the Giants.

A side view of a St Kilda player holding one finger in the air during a match.

AFL Round 3: St Kilda v Brisbane Lions

See the Saints take on the Lions at Marvel.

An Essendon player moments are a kick with his leg still high in the air and pink boots on.

AFL Round 3: Essendon v North ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Don't miss this clash between the Bombers and the Roos.

Two Carlton football players meet to clap hands in the middle of the football field.

AFL Round 3: Carlton v ³Ô¹ÏÍø

Watch as the Blues take on the Demons at the 'G.