Quick answer
Victoria has a public holiday on the Friday before the AFL Grand Final. In 2026 it was Friday 25 September. In 2027 it is expected to be Friday 1 October, the day before the AFL Grand Final on Saturday 2 October 2027. The Victorian Government has not formally confirmed the date yet, because it depends on the AFL schedule. No other state has a Grand Final public holiday.
When is the Grand Final Friday holiday?
| Year | Holiday date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Fri 25 Sep 2026 | Held |
| 2027 | Fri 1 Oct 2027 (expected) | Expected, not yet confirmed by the Victorian Government |
Is the AFL Grand Final Friday a public holiday everywhere?
No. It is a Victorian public holiday only. The other states do not list it in their statewide public holidays.
When will the 2027 date be confirmed?
The AFL has set the 2027 Grand Final for Saturday 2 October, so the holiday should fall on Friday 1 October 2027. The Victorian Government page still says the date is subject to the AFL schedule, so treat 1 October as expected until it is confirmed. We will update this page when it is.
Frequently asked questions
When is AFL Grand Final Friday 2027?
It is expected to be Friday 1 October 2027, the day before the AFL Grand Final on Saturday 2 October. The Victorian Government has not formally confirmed it yet.
Is Grand Final Friday a public holiday in Victoria?
Yes, it is the Friday before the AFL Grand Final.
Is Grand Final Friday a public holiday in Queensland or NSW?
No, it applies to Victoria only. See NSW public holidays and Queensland public holidays.
Does Grand Final Friday fall in the school holidays?
It usually falls near the end of Term 3 or in the spring holidays. In 2027 Victorian school holidays are Saturday 18 September to Sunday 3 October; see the Victorian school holidays.
More dates
Victorian public holidays 2027 · Melbourne Cup · Public holidays 2027