If you live in Victoria, you may have heard people talking about “the AFL long weekend” without much explanation. It’s one of Australia’s more unusual public holidays — a day off work created specifically because of a football match.
Here’s everything you need to know about the AFL Grand Final public holiday, including the 2026 date and what it means if you’re new to Australia.
What is the AFL Grand Final public holiday?
The AFL Grand Final public holiday — officially called AFL Grand Final Friday — is a public holiday observed in Victoria on the Friday before the Australian Football League (AFL) Grand Final. It gives Victorians a long weekend leading into the biggest match of the AFL season.
It was introduced in 2015 by the Victorian Government and has become a regular fixture in the state’s calendar each year.
The holiday is exclusive to Victoria. It is not observed in any other Australian state or territory.
When is the AFL Grand Final public holiday in 2026?
In 2026, the AFL Grand Final public holiday falls on Friday, 25 September.
The date always falls on the Friday before the AFL Grand Final, which is played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) — so the exact date shifts slightly each year depending on the AFL fixture.
What is the AFL and why does the Grand Final matter so much?
The Australian Football League (AFL) is Australia’s professional Australian rules football competition — one of the most popular sports in the country, especially in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.
The league was originally founded as the Victorian Football League (VFL) in 1897, with all teams based in Victoria. It became the AFL in 1990 after expanding to other states. Today there are 18 teams in the competition, representing every state except Tasmania.
The season runs from March to September: a regular season followed by a finals series involving the top eight teams. The finals culminate in the AFL Grand Final — always held at the MCG in Melbourne, regardless of which two teams are competing.
For many Victorians, Grand Final week is as significant as Christmas or Easter — a time for family gatherings, parties, and watching the match together, whether or not their own team made it to the final.
What happens during the AFL Grand Final long weekend?
Grand Final Parade: On Grand Final Eve (the Friday public holiday), thousands of people line the streets of Melbourne to watch a parade featuring players from both Grand Final teams.
Grand Final Eve celebrations: Many Victorians treat the Friday as the unofficial start of the weekend — pubs, restaurants and public spaces are busy with pre-match celebrations.
The Grand Final itself: Played on the Saturday following the public holiday, at the MCG, in front of a crowd that regularly exceeds 100,000 people.
A school holiday bonus: In 2026, Grand Final Eve falls during the Victorian Term 3 spring school holidays — making it an especially popular weekend for family travel and short breaks within Victoria. See our School Holidays Australia 2026 guide for the full term dates.
Is the AFL Grand Final public holiday only in Victoria?
Yes. The AFL Grand Final Friday public holiday applies only to Victoria. If you work in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the ACT or the Northern Territory, this is a normal working Friday — there is no equivalent public holiday in any other state.
This sometimes catches people by surprise, particularly new arrivals or businesses operating across multiple states, who assume it’s a national public holiday because of how widely it’s discussed in the media.
What’s open and what’s closed?
Trading hours on the AFL Grand Final public holiday are regulated under Victoria’s Retail Trading Hours Act 1987. In general:
- Supermarkets and major retailers: Generally open, though some smaller shops may reduce hours
- Australia Post: Most outlets are closed in Victoria on the public holiday. Licensed post offices located inside other businesses may stay open if the host business is trading
- Public transport: Operates on a normal or near-normal schedule, though some services may be adjusted for Grand Final Eve crowds
- Schools: Closed, as with all Victorian public holidays
- Banks: Closed in Victoria for the public holiday
Always check directly with specific businesses, as trading hours can vary.
What does the AFL Grand Final public holiday cost the Victorian economy?
The AFL Grand Final public holiday has been a point of economic debate since its introduction. A government study estimated the economic cost of the holiday at approximately $850 million, reflecting lost productivity across the state for the day.
Supporters of the holiday argue the value goes beyond pure economics — pointing to its role in giving Victorians time with family and friends, and as a celebration of Australian rules football, which holds deep cultural significance in the state.
How does this affect international money transfers?
If you are sending money overseas around the AFL Grand Final long weekend, keep in mind:
- Banks in Victoria are closed on the public holiday (Friday) and on the weekend, which can affect bank transfer processing times for transfers initiated from Victoria
- Other states are unaffected — if you’re sending from NSW, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT or NT, it’s a normal business day
- Digital payment methods like debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayID are generally unaffected by the public holiday and continue to process transfers as normal
To avoid any delay, consider sending your transfer a day or two before the long weekend if you’re in Victoria and using bank transfer as your payment method.
FAQ’s (Frequently asked questions)
What is the AFL long weekend?
The AFL long weekend refers to the public holiday observed in Victoria on the Friday before the AFL Grand Final, plus the weekend that follows. The Friday is an official Victorian public holiday, officially known as AFL Grand Final Friday.
When is the AFL Grand Final public holiday in 2026?
Friday, 25 September 2026.
Is the AFL Grand Final public holiday a national holiday?
No. It is a Victorian state public holiday only. It is not observed in any other Australian state or territory.
Why does Victoria have a public holiday for the AFL Grand Final?
The holiday was introduced by the Victorian Government in 2015 to give Victorians a long weekend ahead of the AFL Grand Final, recognising the cultural significance of Australian rules football in the state.
Do banks close for the AFL Grand Final public holiday?
Yes, in Victoria. Banks in other states operate as normal, since the public holiday only applies in Victoria.
Will my international money transfer be delayed by the AFL Grand Final public holiday?
If you’re sending from Victoria via bank transfer, processing may be slightly delayed due to the bank holiday. Digital payment methods like debit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay are typically unaffected. Senders from other states are not affected at all.
Where is the AFL Grand Final played?
The AFL Grand Final is always played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne, regardless of which teams are competing.
Sending money overseas? Check the full 2026 public holiday calendar
For the complete list of public holidays across Australia and New Zealand in 2026 — including state-by-state variations — see our full guide: Public Holidays 2026: Australia and New Zealand
OrbitRemit supports fast, affordable money transfers from Australia and New Zealand to 52+ countries, with flat fees shown upfront and no hidden charges.
Public holiday dates and trading hour regulations are subject to change. Always confirm directly with the Victorian Government or your local council for the most current information. Last updated June 2026.
Sources: publicholidays.com.au — AFL Grand Final Holiday | retail.org.au — Grand Final Trading Hours | australianpublicholidays.com — VIC 2026 Public Holidays
