The AFL has made a decision on the starting time of the 2023 grand final after a commission meeting, announcing this year's fixture will remain in the traditional 2:30pm time slot.
The 2022 grand final returned to the traditional afternoon slot after COVID-19 disrupted years saw both the location and time shifted, with a night match in 2020 followed by a twilight fixture in 2021.
A meeting of the commission decided the starting time for 2023's fixture, but will continue to be evaluated on a yearly basis.
In a statement released by the league, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan confirmed the starting time will remain as it is this year.
"The Toyota AFL Grand Final is the biggest and best sporting event in the country. It is our game's biggest moment, and this year the bounce of the ball will again be at 2:30pm AEST," McLachlan said.
"The Commission will continue to review the start time for future Grand Finals. The AFL's role is to deliver the best possible game experience, both for fans at the ground and for the millions watching the broadcast, and together with our broadcast partner the Seven Network, we remain committed to creating an amazing event, both in the build-up during the week and culminating in 100,000 fans at the MCG.
"The fans this season have been incredible with more than three million fans attending matches across the first nine rounds โ the biggest and loudest crowds in the history of the game to this point of the season โ and come the last Saturday in September, it will be by far the biggest event of the year."
