Pros and Cons of Airing an AFL Night Grand Final
By
Will Brown
Contributor Updated: 26 August 2024
Will Brown Contributor
William Brown is a Content Writer with strong expertise in US and global gambling industry trends. Having covered the local sports betting market since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, William approaches his gambling guides with passion and diligence. He is a keen player of online slots, blackjack, and a regular sports bettor.
AFL Night Grand Final
Even though the final game of Australian rules football has always been played during the daytime, an argument has emerged that an AFL Night Grand Final would be superior. However, many are strongly opposed to the suggestion, and there’s little indication about whether the AFL is seriously considering it. In this guide, we’ve looked at the arguments for and against changing the commencement time of the grand final to night.
An Intro: Will the AFL Grand Final Change Times?
Before we get into the major pros and cons of an AFL Grand Final change in commencement time, we have provided a brief overview of the history of the final championship game and how it has evolved. From there, we’ve looked at the biggest arguments for making the Grand Final a night game.
In the spirit of fairness, we’ve then discussed the opposing arguments for changing the time of its commencement. To wrap up the guide, we’ve discussed the Grand Finals that were held at night time, before sharing details for the 2024 final so you can join sportsbooks with AFL markets.
- The Evolution of AFL Grand Finals
- Advantages of Night Time Grand Finals
- Disadvantages of Night Time Grand Finals
- Details for the 2024 Final
The Evolution of AFL Grand Finals
Before it was known as the AFL, the primary professional league of Aussie rules football was called the Victorian Football League (VFL). Since its introduction in 1897, the VFL’s regular season culminated in a special final event to decide the season champion. In 1902, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) was decided as the AFL Grand Final venue, which it has maintained for most years.
As the VFL grew in popularity over the 20th century, so too did audience numbers at the MCG. In 1977, the first Grand Final was televised in Victoria, slowly expanding across the nation. So too did the league, and by 1992, there were several out-of-state teams and the league was renamed the Australian Football League (AFL).
Since it began, the game has always been held during the day, with regular kick-off times starting at around 2.30 PM. Live audiences exceed 100,000 people each year, with halftime entertainment supplied to add to the glamor of the event.
The MCG: The Iconic Grand Final Venue
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is considered to be the undisputed home of Australian rules football and is an icon of the sport. The stadium hosts 45 home games a year due to the large number of teams coming from Melbourne and has hosted almost all Grand Finals for over a century.
However, in 2020, the AFL Grand Final was held in Perth, while the 2021 event was held in Brisbane, due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. In both instances, the kick-off time was adjusted to suit local audiences and time zones, making them the first AFL night Grand Final events in history.
The Pros and Cons of a Night Time Grand Final
Both out-of-state events were considered to be very successful regarding audience figures and attendees noted a more jubilant atmosphere. Since those two games, there has been a growing conversation about whether or not an AFL Grand Final night game would be superior to its daytime slot. We’ve looked at the pros and cons of changing the slot below.
The Advantages
We have identified four major advantages of changing the Grand Final to a night-time kick-off. These include an increase in TV audience ratings, an increase in advertising revenues for clubs and broadcasters, and an improved experience for game attendants and at-home audiences.
Boosted TV Ratings
The first AFL night Grand Final in 2020 saw the game attract a peak audience of 4.283 million people, which was a 30 percent increase since the previous year. The 2021 broadcast was also particularly successful, with an average of 4.11 million viewers tuning in, with the highest-ever audience for a Melbourne Grand Final in history.
Many have pointed to the fact that the night games attracted higher ratings due to their being more people at home during those hours in both domestic and international audiences. However, a counter-point suggests that the COVID lockdown meant more people were at home watching rather than at clubs, pubs, and friends’ houses.
Increased Advertising Revenue
The increase in TV viewership numbers can see broadcasters rake in much more money for advertising slots. Thirty-second ad slots during the Grand Final cost around $175,000 in Melbourne, which is a huge figure for a daytime broadcast. If viewership figures could be increased, this would result in higher-value advertising slots.
The more money that broadcasters can generate from their partnership with the AFL, the more money that the AFL can expect in licensing contracts. This funding, in turn, goes to support teams and players, which can have an enduring impact on the legacy of the sport.
Better Live Atmosphere
Anyone who has enjoyed a night out to see live music or performances understands that there is a more heightened and excitable atmosphere. Many are out to unwind or party, giving a relaxed and enjoyable flavor to the evening. If the Grand Final was at night, this energy could make viewing the game and its aftermath much more fun.
It also provides opportunities for more enhanced pre-game and half-time spectacles that could use lighting effects, fireworks, or other cinematic effects. This can be seen in other major final events such as the Super Bowl or Australia’s NRL Grand Final.
Furthermore, once the games have concluded, live audiences can head out into Melbourne’s bustling nightlife to celebrate their victory or mourn their defeat. In other states and international markets, viewers could also mix the game into their Saturday night plans.
The Disadvantages
While there are advantages to both business interests and audience members when it comes to changing the play slot of the Grand Final, there are some notable downsides. These relate to breaking century-old traditions, impacting player performances, and impacting the fan experience for families. We’ve covered these cons in detail below.
Breaks Tradition
Just like the AFL Grand Final venue has always been the MCG aside from the aforementioned extraordinary circumstances, the Grand Final has always been held during the day. This could perhaps be due to the lack of powerful lights when the first Grand Finals were first held, or it could be because Australians are naturally early risers.
Whatever it is, an AFL Grand Final change is bound to stir up not just the traditions of the sport, but the traditions of viewers. Generations of fans will have memories of watching the games at a daytime barbecue with friends and family, and there would be resistance to changing this.
Impacted Player Performance
While AFL fields are well-lit to ensure that night games run smoothly, the quality of the game could be impacted by a change in the routine or conditions of the weather. It also means that if a team is successful, they would have less time to celebrate the win with their teammates.
Logistical Challenges
Due to the nature of nightlife, there tends to be an increased need for security at major events. This is because more alcohol tends to be consumed. An AFL night Grand Final would require far more staff to be hired to accommodate the fans. Importantly, there would also need to be more transportation organized.
While the MCG does regularly host night-time sporting events, few of them are as popular and high-stakes as the AFL Grand Final. This shift could have an impact on local residents.
Hindered Fan Experience
While there is an argument for improving the atmosphere with night-time play, it’s also important to point out that a later game could hinder access for families with young children or the elderly. Night games could go for especially long when entertainment segments are added to the schedule. Traveling home at night after the game may also be intimidating for some audience members.
Details for the 2024 Grand Final
The Aussie Rules Grand Final will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 28, 2024. The game will commence at its usual time of 2.30 PM AEST. If you happen to find yourself visiting the city, be aware that the festivities start the day earlier, with the entire state receiving a day off work on Friday.
