Locked in: GFNL grand final venue confirmed to 2028

Geelong Football Netball League (GFNL) grand finals will return to Kardinia Park in 2026.

AFL Barwon announced on Wednesday the competition had secured a new three-year agreement to continue hosting the deciders at the venue.

More than 20,000 spectators went through the gates at Kardinia Park during the 2024 and 2025 grand final days, with an additional 20,000 watching live elsewhere.

AFL Barwon chief executive Kate Patterson said the agreement ensured the region’s biggest community football and netball matches would continue to be played on a unique stage.

“We’re in such a fortunate and unique position, being the only region in Victoria with an AFL club,” Patterson said.

“Through this partnership with the Geelong Cats and Kardinia Park Stadium Trust (KPST), we’re able to offer our clubs, players and supporters the chance to celebrate their biggest moment on a world-class stage.

“It’s an opportunity very few community football and netball leagues ever get, and we’re incredibly proud to be able to bring that experience to the GFNL.”

Representatives from both the Geelong Cats and KPST welcomed the extension, saying the event had become a standout on the local sporting calendar.

“This event is a highlight in our calendar and is the only community league football match to be held at an AFL stadium in Victoria,” KPST chief executive Gerard Griffin said.

Meanwhile Geelong Cats chief operating officer Marcus King said the club is excited to see the grand finals return to GMHBA Stadium and the Kardinia Park precinct.

“Community football and netball is such a significant part of our region, and it is fitting that local football and netball grand finals will continue to be showcased on the biggest stage in Geelong,” he said.

Geelong Cats fans can enjoy a weekend of football, with the Cats AFLW team to play Hawthorn at the stadium the night before.

The 2026 GFNL grand finals, including three games of football and 12 games of netball, will be played on Victoria’s grand final public holiday on Friday 25 September.