Heading to to Melbourne for the big event promises an electric atmosphere, world-class sport, and unforgettable experiences. From booking a flight to finding the best accommodation to exploring local hotspots and joining in the city's pre-game festivities, this guide will help you make the most of your Grand Final weekend.

Luckily the MCG is very close to Melbourne CBD, so just about anywhere in the city centre will do. But here are our picks of where to stay within walking distance of the stadium:

As of the time we published, all of these hotels had availability, too. We’ll check in regularly and remove any that sell out for the weekend to avoid any disappointment

Price for two nights’ accommodation: From $639

Some of the lowest-priced hotels we could find over the weekend near the MCG or in Melbourne CBD include the Punthill Manhattan,  Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins, Mantra on Jolimont and Hyatt House South Melbourne. If you don’t mind sharing a room or bathroom, there are hostels and backpackers with affordable prices, too.

Price: From AU$270 return

Depending on where you’re coming from, flight prices are very different. Here’s what you can expect to pay from each major city:

You can also buy official AFL travel packages, but these can get pricey. For example, a 2-night stay at select Accor properties in Melbourne, a Level 1 ticket and food and drinks throughout the game costs AU$3,375 per person for the cheapest hotel option. 

Upgrades to packages that include flights are at least $500 more per person.

We admit it; Hotels aren’t cheap over the AFL Grand Final weekend. But, there are a few ways to keep costs down. If you haven’t used Traveloka before, you can save up to AU$80 on your hotel booking by using our app and the code HELLOTRAVELOKA. Or, if you’re already a user, you can book during our Winter Sale (until 31 July) for AU$50 off with the code WINTERAU50.

Not including tickets, we’re finding spending the weekend in Melbourne for the AFL Grand Final can be as low as $589 per person (if you’re flying from Sydney.

Saturday, 27 September.

No matter what teams are planning, the final is always played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, so you’ll want to stay nearby and plan your commute (if needed) carefully as traffic can be bad. 

Expect a festive atmosphere as Victorians gear up for the game of the year

The Friday before the game is a public holiday in Victoria, complete with a parade of the two competing teams through Melbourne CBD.

If you’re in town extra early, the Brownlow Medal ceremony takes place on the Monday before the game, awarding the best in the game.

Come game day, the city will be buzzing with pre-game energy. Expect to see plenty of jerseys, scarves and beanies bearing the competing teams logos. If you don’t have tickets yourself, find a spot in a local pub early so you can grab some grub before kick off.

Get ready for quite the show. It’s not just sport taking place today, but Superbowl-style entertainment. In past years, legends like Jimmy Barnes, Paul Kelly and even Ed Sheeran and Katy Perry have graced the stage in the MCG. The 2025 act hasn’t been announced yet, but we bet it’s someone big!