Katy Perry To Headline AFL Grand Final Pre-Game Entertainment
The news comes after the lacklustre response to Perry’s latest single, ‘Woman’s World’.
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After several weeks of rumours, the AFL has officially confirmed Katy Perry will be part of the big dance in September. She will headline the Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment at the 2024 Toyota AFL Grand Final on Saturday, September 28.
"I'm so excited to be back in Australia and back at the mighty MCG to perform in front of 100,000 of the best and loudest fans in the world at this year’s Toyota AFL Grand Final. See you in September Oi Oi Oi!" Perry said in a statement.
As far as big names go, it’s hard to argue with the AFL’s decision to go after Perry. The ‘Teenage Dream’, ‘Roar’, ‘Firework’ and ‘Dark Horse’ hitmaker has sold over 143 million records and garnered over 115 billion streams globally.
Perry also has 148 ARIA certifications, five American Music Awards, five Billboard Music Awards and holds four Guinness World Records, but has surprisingly never won a Grammy Award.
The decision to lock in Perry as the entertainment comes as she’s attempting a career comeback that’s so not going to plan. So far Perry has released the uninspiring and critically slammed ‘Women’s World’, a single about women empowerment produced by Dr. Luke, a guy accused of “emotional distress, sex-based hate crimes and employment discrimination” by Keisha.
No doubt she is hoping her high-profile performance at the AFL Grand Final will help boost sales for her forthcoming seventh album, 143.
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AFL Executive General Manager Customer and Commercial Kylie Rogers is stoked the organisation has got Perry on board, releasing a statement reading: "Katy Perry is an international music icon who has been entertaining fans with her chart-topping hits for many years, so the AFL is delighted to have her join us at the 2024 Toyota AFL Grand Final in what will be a spectacular Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment performance.
"The AFL continues to attract world class artists to our game, and we're honoured to have Katy Perry on board to entertain a full house at the MCG and the millions of fans tuning in across the world."
Rogers isn’t the only one pumped to secure the services of Perry, with Telstra Executive, Brent Smart adding: "It's been an incredible season so far, and we wanted the AFL community to celebrate in a big way this year with Katy Perry performing the Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment. We're very excited to be bringing another internationally renowned artist to the MCG for what we hope will be one of the most memorable performances to date. Katy Perry is one of the biggest global stars, and we hope fans enjoy the show to kick off what is sure to be a thrilling game," Smart said.
Also excited about Perry’s performance is Mushroom Group Chief Executive, Matt Gudinski, who says: "The AFL Grand Final is Australia’s biggest sporting event and together with the AFL, Mushroom has delivered a stellar entertainment line-up year after year and 2024 is no different.
"Following the incredibly well received performances from Robbie Williams (2022) and KISS (2023) I'm thrilled that Mushroom has upped the ante once again, securing global icon Katy Perry for the 2024 Toyota AFL Grand Final. We are currently working with Katy Perry's team and the AFL to deliver a show that'll continue to be the pinnacle of sporting entertainment in Australia."
The AFL will confirm additional musical guests in the coming weeks, hopefully shining a light on some of our great local talent like they have in previous years.
The Telstra AFL Grand Final takes place on Saturday, September 28. Limited packages are still available via the AFL website.
