Geelong Football Netball League (GFNL) grand finals will return to Kardinia Park in 2026.<\/p>\n
AFL Barwon announced on Wednesday the competition had secured a new three-year agreement to continue hosting the deciders at the venue.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re in such a fortunate and unique position, being the only region in Victoria with an AFL club,\u201d Patterson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough this partnership with the Geelong Cats and Kardinia Park Stadium Trust (KPST), we\u2019re able to offer our clubs, players and supporters the chance to celebrate their biggest moment on a world-class stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity very few community football and netball leagues ever get, and we\u2019re incredibly proud to be able to bring that experience to the GFNL.\u201d<\/p>\n
Representatives from both the Geelong Cats and KPST welcomed the extension, saying the event had become a standout on the local sporting calendar.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis event is a highlight in our calendar and is the only community league football match to be held at an AFL stadium in Victoria,\u201d KPST chief executive Gerard Griffin said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cCommunity 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Geelong Cats fans can enjoy a weekend of football, with the Cats AFLW team to play Hawthorn at the stadium the night before.<\/p>\n
The 2026 GFNL grand finals, including three games of football and 12 games of netball, will be played on Victoria\u2019s grand final public holiday on Friday 25 September.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n