The AFL has revealed the 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final will return to its traditional afternoon time slot, with plans to host 100,000 fans at the MCG.

After the 2020 Toyota AFL Grand Final was held in Brisbane at the Gabba at night, due to the COVID-19 pandemic forcing all AFL teams and games out of Victoria, the AFL has revealed the event will begin at 2:30pm AEST.

AFL CEO, Gillon McLachlan, said the AFL Commission made the right decision returning to the afternoon timeslot, despite the success of the night Grand Final in Brisbane in 2020.

“We know that Season 2020 was a unique season, and by necessity, we had to make some exceptional decisions surrounding the competition including moving most teams to Queensland and moving the Grand Final and the start time for the first time in its history,” McLachlan said.

“The build-up and event in Queensland was a huge success.

“Our members and supporters were incredible in continuing to support their teams last year and they are wanting a season where they can return to some of the traditions and rituals around footy.

“Ultimately, the AFL Commission decided that while we will keep some of the unique components of the 2020 season, the prestige, nostalgia and atmosphere of the day Grand Final is something that people can look forward to.

“Wherever they are located around Australia, we want to give footy fans that familiar feeling back on Grand Final Day – a Saturday afternoon start-time, the build-up, the anticipation, friends, family and the BBQ in the backyard, all combining to make it the best event on the Australian sporting calendar.

“We still have a lot of work as a league and a community to get the finish line, but I would love nothing more to see 100,000 back at the MCG on the last Saturday in September,” he said.

The 2021 AFL Grand Final is now scheduled for Saturday, September 25, 2021 at the MCG in Melbourne, and will be broadcast exclusively on the Seven Network.

The AFL Commission said the decision to return to the afternoon time was made after consultation with players, clubs, supporters, and commercial and broadcast partners.