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read moreVictoria’s contract to host the AFL Grand Final will be extended by one year to 2058 as compensation for this year’s season finale being held in Brisbane.
With the Victorian Government today announcing that is has agreed to the relocation of the AFL Grand Final from the MCG for one year, it has been quick to advise that a year has been be added to the MCG’s multi-decade long Grand Final contract.
This year’s AFL Grand Final (on Saturday 24th October) has been relocated to the Gabba in Brisbane as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic having made it impossible to plan with certainty for an event to be held with crowds in Melbourne in late October.
Accepting this situation, the Victorian Government has also acted to ensure that the MCG will also receive extra games in the 2022 and 2023 seasons and Victoria will host the 2021 and 2022 AFL National Drafts.
Confirmation of the Grand Final date also means that the Victorian Government has locked in the popular AFL Grand Final eve public holiday for Friday 23rd October - with the day described as a ‘Thank You’ for Victorians who have made so many sacrifices as part of the community effort to contain the spread of Coronavirus.
The MCG first hosted the Grand Final in 1902 and under the terms of the new agreement between the Victorian Government and the AFL confirmed last night, the match will be played at the ground until at least 2058 - a one-year extension on the existing contract.
In addition, the MCG has been guaranteed an extra two contracted games in each of the 2022 and 2023 seasons, taking the minimum number of AFL games at the ground in each year to 45.
Commenting on the relocation of the Grand Final, Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Martin Pakula stated “the pandemic is a life and death battle and we cannot risk our hard-fought gains for the sake of rushing back to crowds before it is safe.”
AFL Chief Executive, Gillon McLachlan added “the Victorian Government has been a long-term partner and supporter of our game and a driving force behind the growth of our game. We know this is a tough time for all Victorians and our thoughts are with the Victorian community as we continue to deal with the impacts of this pandemic.”
“We look forward to returning our Grand Final to the MCG in 2021.”
Image: Teams line up before the 2019 AFL Grand Final at the MCG. Courtesy of Rusty Nail/Creative Commons.
2nd September 2020 - AFL announces Brisbane’s The Gabba as 2020 Grand Final venue
28th August 2020 - Four states vie to host relocated AFL Grand Final
25th August 2020 - AFL restructuring sees integration of management at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium
24th August 2020 - Decline in income forces AFL to restructure operations with 20% of staff to be cut
6th August 2020 - United Services Union warns AFL of breaching Fair Work Act with unlawful directive to staff
15th July 2020 - AFL looks to relocate more clubs to Queensland
13th July 2020 - Optus Stadium prepares for AFL fixtures this week
3rd July 2020 - AFL’s Victorian teams to move interstate
30th June 2020 - AFL faces fixture upheaval as Victorian Coronavirus cases rise
12th June 2020 - Seven Network to save $87 million with new AFL broadcast deal
9th June 2020 - AFL season restart to see 2,000 fans at Adelaide Oval on Saturday
28th May 2020 - MCG ready to offer transformed turf for AFL return
18th May 2020 - AFL to proceed with upgrade plan for Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium
28th December 2019 - MCG set to continue hosting of the Boxing Day Test
20th December 2019 - MCG floodlights being upgraded with LED technology
31st October 2019 - $25 million investment in MCG audio upgrades designed to enhance fan experience
24th September 2019 - MCG to offer Australian first with 5G deployment at 2019 AFL Grand Final
11th September 2019 - MCG gains awards recognition for shortening fan wait times
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