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The biggest day on Melbourne’s sporting calendar has just scored a seriously sugary soundtrack. The AFL has announced that global pop superstar Kylie Minogue will headline the 2026 AFL Grand Final pre-game entertainment – marking the first time since 2021 that an Australian artist has taken this very important spot on stage.
The Grand Final will take place at the MCG on Saturday, September 26, with around 100,000 fans expected to pack the stands for footy’s biggest day of the year. Before the first bounce, though, it’ll be Minogue taking centre stage.
The iconic Melbourne-born singer, who has spent nearly four decades building one of Australia’s most successful international music careers, said performing at the 'G on Grand Final Day was a dream gig. And despite her towering catalogue of hits – from ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’ to the viral smash ‘Padam Padam’ – this will actually be Kylie's first-ever AFL Grand Final performance.
Her appearance will also mark a shift back toward local talent after several years of international headline acts. The last four pre-game shows have been fronted by global names including Robbie Williams (2022), Kiss (2023), Katy Perry (2024) and Snoop Dogg (2025).
The last time Australian artists led the entertainment was in 2021, when the Grand Final was relocated to Perth during the Covid pandemic. That show featured a line-up of local performers including Abbe May, Baker Boy and Eskimo Joe.
2026 has had its challenges, so this hit of happy Melbourne news is pretty darn welcome. And honestly, if there was ever a day for the city to go full disco-ball mode, it’s AFL Grand Final Day, obvs!
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