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News · 29 March 2026

Kylie Minogue To Headline 2026 AFL Grand Final Entertainment

By Tobias Handke

 Image supplied

Australia’s Princess of Pop will headline the Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment at the 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final at the MCG.

Global pop music superstar and Aussie icon Kylie Minogue has been chosen as the headline act for this year’s Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment at the 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final.

The diminutive entertainer has done it all across a career spanning almost five decades – selling over 80 million records worldwide, garnering over five billion streams and collecting a whopping nine #1 Australian albums.

Minogue is an 18-time ARIA Award winner and has also taken home four BRIT Awards, two MTV Awards and two Grammys.

“The AFL Grand Final at Melbourne’s one and only, forever iconic MCG? Yes please!” said Minogue about being asked to perform at this year’s GF. “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 Toyota AFL Grand Final is the biggest event on the Australian sporting calendar - and this year, we welcome home an Australian icon.” AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said.

“Kylie has been on our wish list for a long time, and there is no better artist for headline the performance prior to our biggest game of the season.

“Our AFL team recently joined Kylie at the MCG for the Grand Final content shoot, and you could already feel the excitement for September building.”

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“We love delivering unforgettable fan experiences and can't wait to welcome our Queen of Pop to take the stage in her hometown,” explained Telstra’s Executive, Brent Smart. “Kylie is a true Australian icon whose music has brought people together for decades, and we know she will deliver an incredible performance for fans around the country. This marks our sixth year of hosting the Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment, and Kylie will no doubt make this year one to remember.”

Behind the scenes producing the performance will be Mushroom Group CEO Matt Gudinski, who is also excited to have Minogue locked in as headliner. “Kylie is one of the most successful Australian artists of all time. 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 some time to make this a reality, and now is the right time! Mushroom is so excited to welcome Kylie home to perform at Australia’s biggest day in sport at the MCG. We’re working closely with Kylie’s team to create and produce what will be one of the most memorable Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment shows yet.”

Further entertainment announcements regarding Toyota AFL Grand Final Day will be made closer to the event.

The Telstra AFL Grand Final takes place on Saturday 26 September. Limited packages are still available via the AFL website.


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