Footy fever has swept across Victoria as the AFL Grand Final Footy Festival kicks off at the MCG.
Acting Premier Jacinta Allan visited the Festival today, where the whole family can enjoy four days of free activities in the lead up to the big decider.
The AFL Grand Final Footy Festival has something for everyone. There’s footy competitions for the kids, live broadcasts on the big screens, great food and lots of giveaways.
Footy fans will get a chance to rub shoulders with the champions of the game, and get up close and personal with the AFL’s best-known broadcasters as they debate who will take home the 2016 AFL Premiership Cup.
Players from the competing teams will set off for the traditional Grand Final Parade from the Old Treasury Building at noon on Friday, before a presentation in the heart of Yarra Park. Last year’s new-look Parade was a stunning success, as record crowds lined the streets to wish their heroes well.
Getting to the AFL Grand Final Footy Festival is easy, because the Andrews Labor Government has extended the Free Tram Zone and added additional Metro and V/Line trains to help footy fans from Victoria and around the country enjoy Australia’s favourite sporting spectacle.
Fans in regional Victoria won’t miss out. Bendigo and Warrnambool will burst to life with Grand Final Friday Free Footy Festivals later this week. Entertainment, prizes, live music and big screens broadcasting the Parade are planned.
Grand Final Friday isn’t just a great chance to spend valuable time with family and friends, it’s a big boost for small businesses and tourism operators in Melbourne and all over regional Victoria. The data proves it:
- Overnight intrastate trips in Victoria increased 64 per cent to 265,000 last year, compared with the 2014 Grand Final weekend
- Day trips within Victoria grew 84 per cent. Combined, this lead to a $64 million boost to Victoria’s economy
- Website traffic to increased 30 per cent in the first weekend of October 2015, compared with the same period in 2014.
Quotes attributable to Acting Premier Jacinta Allan
“There’s something for everyone at the Grand Final Footy Festival. It’s a great chance to get together with family and friends and gear up for the history-making game.”
“Grand Final weekend is not just about spending time with family and friends, it’s a big boost to tourism. Melbourne will be buzzing, and regional Victoria will welcome thousands of visitors.”
Quotes attributable to General Manager – Clubs and AFL Operations Travis Auld
“There’s no better time of the year to be in Melbourne than Toyota AFL Grand Final Week.”
“The Foxtel Footy Festival and AFL Live Site gives fans of all ages the chance to soak up the atmosphere as anticipation grows for the big day.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020