AFL stuck in the middle of feud with NFL over scheduling for 2027 MCG game

The AFL and NFL are on a collision course over the timing of next year’s NFL game in Victoria, with no agreement yet in place beyond 2026.

The NFL has made it crystal clear to Visit Victoria (the state’s tourism company) that they expect to play the game on the same weekend in 2027 as this year’s historic match at the MCG, scheduled for just 10 days away.

But that date in 2027 is complicated due to the scheduling of the 150th Test (between Australia and England) which is being played at the MCG early in March and has pushed the back the finals.

“The AFL, which must be said, has bent over backwards in order to have this game in semi-final weekend in a couple of weeks’ time, will give no such allowances for 2027, and that is why they are on a collision course and there is no agreement yet moving on beyond 2026,” 7NEWS sports reporter Tom Morris said on Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters.

As a result of the 150th Test, next year’s AFL grand final will not be in September but will be played on October 2. The season will open one week later than this year, with the first game at the MCG on March 19.

“(It’s) very frustrating for the AFL, although they were happy to acquiesce with cricket for one one-off game, even though privately some people are saying it’s nothing more than an exhibition game,” veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson said on The Agenda Setters .

“I know this has been reported many times, but we can tell you with certainty next year’s grand final will not be in September. It will be played on the 2nd of October. The season will open one week later than it did this year. So the first game at the MCG will be on March 19.

“There will be at least one game before that, probably in Sydney or Queensland, on Thursday the 18th, potentially a game on the Wednesday night as well.

“But this means that the full season has been pushed forward. So rather than the NFL game being played on a weekend where there are two finals, and as luck would have it for the AFL this year, only one of them has been scheduled for Melbourne (and that might not even happen) ...

“But next year it will be played over the qualifying/elimination final weekend. People have suggested maybe moving one final to Marvel or Geelong. (The AFL) have absolutely baulked at that.”

The NFL don’t want to budge because they want the game to be part of their opening round.

But the AFL wants future games played in October, believing it’s better for Victoria. Visit Victoria disagrees, however, and the NFL is determined to maintain their season-opener timing.

Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire — in his role as being a Visit Victoria director — is involved in the negotiations, so is the state government, and obviously the AFL and the MCG are all involved as well.

While the NFL contract is for four years, it only guarantees three games, meaning one year could go without an NFL match.