The 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final will be played at Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday, September 25. The announcement comes after the Victorian Government agreed to the Grand Final being relocated from the MCG this year due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic.
The Brownlow Medal function will also be held in Perth on Sunday, September 19 to kick off the Grand Final week celebrations, AFL confirmed on its website.
Acooding to the Victorian Government, it has agreed to the relocation of the 2021 AFL Grand Final from the home of football, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, due to the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
In an official media release, the Victorian government said, “We cannot risk the health of Victorians by rushing back to crowds at events before it is safe to do so.”
n addition, the MCG has been guaranteed an extra eight AFL premiership season matches over the next five AFL seasons, from 2022 to 2026, representing four games over and above the agreement from last year.
These additional matches are on top of the underlying commitment from the AFL to schedule a minimum of 43 premiership matches per season at the MCG.
More football will be taken to regional Victoria, with a guaranteed four AFLW premiership season matches to be played at regional Victorian venues over a three year-period starting with the upcoming AFLW season.
The AFL will also extend Victoria’s hosting of the NAB AFL Draft to 2023 as the NAB AFL Draft in 2021 is expected to be held as a virtual event due to the impact of the pandemic.
Should the 2021 AFL Grand Final not be able to be played in front of a crowd, then the MCG remains ready to host the game.
The Victorian Government and the AFL are continuing to work together to reinforce Victoria’s position as the home of Australian football as part of the landmark agreement between the parties in 2018 that includes the $225 million Marvel Stadium upgrade.
In addition to retaining the MCG as the home of Australian Football, the long-term agreement between the Government and the AFL incorporates a partnership to develop multicultural, indigenous and women’s football and guarantees AFL matches for regional Victoria.
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