After kicking off the AFL Grand Final with incredible artists like Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg, the pre-game show for 2026 will be headlined by Aussie pop royalty, Kylie Minogue. This will be her first time appearing at the Grand Final, and the first headline act by an Australian artist since 2021. Feel your heart go Padam Padam when she takes the stage at the MCG this September.
Kylie Minogue at the AFL Grand Final
Dance your way over to the ‘G, and feel Love at First Sight when Kylie Minogue takes the stage. The Can’t Get You out of My Head singer has sold over 80 million records worldwide and has five billion streams under her belt. She has won multiple awards, including 18 ARIAs, four BRIT Awards, two MTV Awards and two Grammys. Her most recent Grammy win was for Best Pop Dance Recording for Padam Padam in 2024.
“Kylie has been on our wish list for a long time, and there is no better artist [to] headline the performance prior to our biggest game of the season,” said AFL CEO Andrew Dillion.
“The AFL Grand Final at Melbourne’s one and only, forever iconic MCG? Yes please!” said Kylie. “As a Melburnian, I’m so excited to be coming home for the biggest day in the Aussie sporting calendar. I’ll not only be performing, but I’ll be one of 100,000 fans at the ‘G, watching the wonder that is footy.”
The performance will be produced by Mushroom Group. “Kylie is one of the most successful Australian artists of all time,” said CEO Matt Gudinski. “She’s not just a global superstar, she’s an icon and an obvious choice to headline the 2026 Telstra Pre-game entertainment. We’ve tried for sometime to make this a reality, and now is the right time!”
The news comes shortly after the AFL confirmed the traditional 2:30pm start time for the Grand Finals in 2026 and 2027.
More details will be revealed closer to the day.