KISS To Headline AFL Grand Final Pre-Match Entertainment

After weeks of speculation, “throwing the kitchen sink” at Bruce Springsteen and Crowded House pulling out of headlining the AFL Grand Final pre-game entertainment, the AFL has confirmed that KISS will perform before the two best teams fight for the 2023 premiership.

Last month, it was reported that the AFL had worked diligently for months to try and book Crowded House for the coveted pre-game entertainment slot. However, the Herard Sun also reported on rumours that KISS could potentially step up and rock the halftime show.

That rumour always made sense, with the American rock legends set to perform their final ever Aussie show in Sydney on 7 October, just one week after the AFL Grand Final. For their concert at Sydney’s Accor Stadium, KISS will be joined by special guests Weezer and Aussie legends Regurgitator and The Delta Riggs.

When Gillon McLachlan, CEO of the AFL, was grilled about the possibility of KISS opening the show just a few days later, he told 3AW’s Neil Mitchell, “I don’t know; I don’t think anyone’s gonna be right at the moment.

“I think they’re a great band – I think they’ve been discussed…  the last Saturday in September is gonna be the biggest day on the Australian sporting calendar, one of the biggest days in the world. And we'll have a great act.”

Accompanying this morning’s announcement, KISS said in a press release, per the AFL website: “Thanks to Telstra, we will be performing at the 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final. We cannot wait to create rock 'n' roll history playing at the iconic MCG in Melbourne for one last time.”

They continued, “We’re absolutely thrilled to be performing in front of 100,000 footy fans at the biggest and best sporting event in the country! Be ready to ROCK as we’ll be coming full throttle into the 'G. See you for that One Day in September!”

The pre-game entertainment, brought to the MCG and our screens with Telstra and in partnership with Mushroom Group, will have additional performers to be announced before the big day.

Mushroom Group CEO Matt Gudinski added, “The AFL Grand Final is one of the biggest events on our sporting calendar, and we can’t wait to produce a show with one of the world’s most iconic rock bands at the ‘G.”

Tickets to the 2023 AFL Grand Final will be available in the coming weeks. Mark the date in your calendars: Saturday, 30 September, with a start time of 2:30 pm AEST.