Origin & history
The Friday before the AFL Grand Final became a public holiday in Victoria in 2015. The AFL Grand Final, held on the last Saturday of September, is the pinnacle of Australian rules football. The holiday was introduced to acknowledge the cultural significance of the AFL Grand Final in Victoria and to allow fans to participate in Grand Final festivities, including the Grand Final Parade through Melbourne's city center. The idea originated from a 2014 proposal by then-Premier Denis Napthine, who recognized the event's importance to the state's identity and economy. The holiday was later made permanent in 2016, with bipartisan support, as a way to enhance community engagement and celebrate the sport that unites Victorians.
Customs & traditions
On this day, many Victorians attend the AFL Grand Final Parade, where players from the competing teams ride through the streets on floats, accompanied by marching bands and fanfare. The parade is a free, family-friendly event that draws hundreds of thousands of spectators. Families and friends often gather for barbecues, picnics, or parties in parks and backyards, wearing their team's colors and enjoying traditional Australian foods like meat pies, sausage rolls, and lamingtons. Pubs and bars are packed with fans watching the past Grand Final replays or the Brownlow Medal count (the league's best and fairest award) which sometimes falls on the same week. Many people also use the long weekend for short getaways or to prepare for Grand Final viewing parties the next day. The atmosphere is festive, with a sense of anticipation and community spirit unique to Melbourne's sporting calendar.
Why it is celebrated
The Friday before the AFL Grand Final is celebrated as a day to honor Australian rules football, the country's most popular sport in terms of attendance and cultural impact, particularly in Victoria. It symbolizes the climax of the AFL season and unites fans, families, and communities in a shared celebration of sport, camaraderie, and Victorian identity. For many, it is a cherished holiday that marks the unofficial start of spring celebrations and provides a moment to pause and engage with local traditions before the final match.