Brisbane or Fremantle. One of them is about to make history, and here in the US you’ll be watching it on a Friday night. The 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final between the Brisbane Lions and the Fremantle Dockers starts at 9:30pm Pacific on Friday, September 25, which is 12:30am Eastern on Saturday, September 26. There are more than 25 watch parties across 16 states and DC this year, plus four Saturday replay parties for anyone on the East Coast who’d rather sleep.
Almost every party below is run by a local USAFL footy club, and for most of them it’s the biggest fundraiser of the year. Buying a ticket pays for somebody’s trip to Nationals.
For the live list with a map and a ZIP code search, head to Aussie Watch Party. Parties get added there as clubs announce them.
What time is the 2026 AFL Grand Final in the USA?
First bounce is 2:30pm AEST on Saturday, September 26 at the MCG. Here’s what that means where you are.
| Time zone | First bounce |
|---|---|
| Eastern | 12:30am Saturday, September 26 |
| Central | 11:30pm Friday, September 25 |
| Mountain | 10:30pm Friday |
| Arizona | 9:30pm Friday |
| Pacific | 9:30pm Friday |
| Alaska | 8:30pm Friday |
| Hawaii | 6:30pm Friday |
A full game with breaks runs about three hours, so the East Coast parties go until roughly 3:30am.
In Australia, Channel 7’s coverage starts 30 minutes before the bounce, with Kylie Minogue headlining the pre-game show. It isn’t confirmed yet whether US coverage will include her set.
Brisbane vs Fremantle: why this one’s worth staying up for
Brisbane is playing in its fourth straight Grand Final and chasing a three-peat, after beating Sydney in 2024 and Geelong in 2025. Nobody has won three in a row since Hawthorn did it from 2013 to 2015.
Fremantle is in only its second Grand Final in 32 seasons. The first was a loss to Hawthorn in 2013. A win would be the club’s first premiership.
The two clubs have never met in a final before.
Both got here the hard way. Fremantle came back from 28 points down to beat Sydney at the SCG, with Mason Cox kicking the late go-ahead goal. The next night, Brisbane beat Hawthorn by nine points at the MCG, with Hugh McCluggage kicking the winner after a contentious late holding-the-ball free kick.
Watching from home instead
FOX Sports is the AFL’s official US broadcaster, and the Grand Final will be on FS1 or FS2. The channel hasn’t been listed yet, so check your listings closer to Friday. If you don’t have cable, FOX One streams both channels.
Watch AFL streams every game live, and it has a hide-scores setting if you’re watching a replay on Saturday morning.
Our full guide on how to watch AFL in the USA has prices, free trials and the rest of the options.
AFL Grand Final watch parties on the West Coast
First bounce is 9:30pm Pacific on Friday, September 25. Start times below are when the party opens, not when the game starts.
San Francisco, CA
Hosted by the Golden Gate Australian Football League at BuzzWorks, 365 11th St. Starts at 7:00pm.
This is one of two official Toyota AFL watch parties in the US. The club has the venue to itself, with the game on every screen, including a jumbo screen behind the bar. General admission is $30 with no ticket fees, and the $20 early bird has already sold out. It’s the club’s main fundraiser, and it sells out every year.
Santa Monica and Los Angeles, CA
Hosted by the Los Angeles Dragons AFC at 1212 Santa Monica, 1212 3rd St Promenade. Starts at 8:00pm.
The other official Toyota AFL watch party, put on by the AFL together with the LA Dragons. Expect big screens and hundreds of seats. The $20 entry includes an Aussie raffle and drink specials, and VIP options are available.
Huntington Beach, CA
Hosted by the Orange County Giants at Cruisers Pizza Bar Grill, 210 5th St. Starts at 7:30pm.
Big screens, cold beers, pizza and SoCal food. Tables are booked through OpenTable.
San Diego, CA
Hosted by the San Diego Lions at Fast Times, 3065 Clairemont Dr. Starts at 7:00pm.
Entry is a $12.50 donation to the club, which comes to about $15 with Eventbrite fees.
Sacramento, CA
Hosted by the Sacramento Suns at Henry’s Lounge, 2019 O St. Trivia starts at 7:30pm and the watch party at 9:00pm.
Admission is free. The raffle raises money for the Suns’ trip to USAFL Nationals in Sarasota.
Event details · Buy raffle tickets
Napa, CA
Hosted by the Napa Valley Cricket Club at The Garden (Tannery Bend Beerworks), 1500 1st St. Starts at 9:30pm.
Yes, it’s the cricket club throwing the footy party. It’s their annual Grand Final night.
Portland, OR
Hosted by the Portland Australian Football Club at Spirit of 77, 500 NE MLK Jr Blvd. Starts at 8:30pm.
The club’s biggest fundraiser of the year, with a $500 backwards raffle, a silent auction and a squares game. pFriem Family Brewers is supporting the night.
Event details · RSVP on Partiful
Seattle, WA
Hosted by the Seattle Grizzlies AFC at Kangaroo & Kiwi, 2026 NW Market St in Ballard. Starts at 9:30pm.
Seattle’s Aussie and Kiwi pub, filling up in time for first bounce.
AFL Grand Final watch parties in the Mountain states
First bounce is 9:30pm in Arizona and 10:30pm in Colorado on Friday, September 25.
Tempe and Phoenix, AZ
Hosted by the Arizona Hawks ARFC at Four Peaks Wilson Brewery, 2401 S Wilson St. Pre-game starts at 7:00pm, and the broadcast at 9:00pm.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for under-21s in advance, or $40 and $20 on the night. Every ticket includes party pies, two drink tickets, two raffle tickets, footy bingo and a go at the skills competition. Proceeds go to the club’s 2027 season.
Denver, CO
Hosted by the Denver Bulldogs at Stoney’s Bar & Grill, 1111 Lincoln St. Starts at 9:30pm, with first bounce at 10:30pm.
It’s free. The kitchen closes at 11pm, and there’s Coopers on tap, with $1 from every one sold going to the club. AFL squares help fund the club’s end-of-season tournament.
AFL Grand Final watch parties in the Central states
First bounce is 11:30pm Central on Friday, September 25.
Chicago, IL
Hosted by the Chicago Swans at Rounders Pub House, 644 W Diversey Pkwy. Starts at 8:00pm.
Free entry, with Aussie food, drink specials, and a raffle with meat trays and gift cards.
Event post on Instagram · on Facebook
Houston, TX
Hosted by the Houston Lonestars AFC at The Phoenix on Westheimer, 1915 Westheimer Rd. Starts at 8:00pm.
This is the club’s 16th year running this party, which makes it the longest-running on the list. There are indoor and outdoor projection screens, VIP tables, an Aussie menu with meat pies, raffles and a silent auction. Kids and families are welcome.
Dallas (Richardson), TX
Hosted by the North Texas Devils at The Wing’D Nut, 720 E Campbell Rd. Starts at 9:30pm.
Tickets are $20 per adult, which covers entry and a free drink. There’s a meat tray raffle on the night.
Austin, TX
Hosted by the Austin Crows at Koko’s Bavarian, 3003 S Lamar Blvd. Starts from about 10:00pm.
Admission is free. The kitchen is open until 11:30pm, there’s beer all night, and the raffle supports the Crows.
Kansas City, MO
Hosted by the Kansas City Power AFC at Gaels Public House & Sports, 5424 Troost Ave. Starts at 8:30pm.
St. Louis, MO
Hosted by St Louis AFC at Perennial Artisan Ales, 8125 Michigan Ave. Starts at 11:00pm.
Live at a local brewery.
St Paul and Minneapolis, MN
Hosted by the Minnesota Freeze at A-Side Public House, in the Station 10 event space upstairs, 754 Randolph Ave. Starts at 10:00pm.
It’s at the club’s sponsor bar. There’s a cash bar, and snacks are provided.
Nashville, TN
Hosted by the Nashville Kangaroos at The Lost Paddy, 715 Spence Ln. Starts at 11:00pm.
Club merch will be on sale.
AFL Grand Final watch parties on the East Coast
First bounce is 12:30am Eastern, so these parties run late into Saturday morning.
New York, NY
The New York Magpies AFC party is at Stout FiDi, 90 John St. Starts at 10:00pm.
Tickets are $30 for one or $50 for two in advance, and $35 at the door.
Washington, DC
Hosted by the DC Eagles at Royal Sands Social Club, 26 N St SE. Starts at 10:00pm.
Pre-sale tickets are $5 cheaper than paying on the door.
Philadelphia, PA
Hosted by the Philadelphia Hawks at Cavanaugh’s Headhouse, 421 S 2nd St. Starts at 10:00pm.
There are squares, Norm Smith Medal picks, raffles, meat pies and sausage rolls, and Hawks merch.
Columbus, OH
Hosted by the Columbus Cats at Byrne’s Pub, 1248 W 3rd Ave. Starts at 10:00pm.
They’re staying live to the final siren, which will be after 3am, and running a 50/50 raffle.
Saturday replay parties
These clubs are screening the full game on replay on Saturday, September 26, for East Coasters who don’t want to be at the pub at 3am. If you’re going to one, stay off your phone until you get there.
Boston, MA
Hosted by the Boston Demons AFC at Dorchester Brewing Co, 1250 Massachusetts Ave. Starts at 12:00pm Saturday.
Free entry, with an optional raffle to support the club.
St. Petersburg and Tampa, FL
Hosted by the Tampa Bay Tiger Sharks at Where’s Jubes, 277 Central Ave. Starts at 12:00pm Saturday.
The game will be front and center, with Aussie beers on tap.
Wilmington, NC
Hosted by the Wilmington Bombers upstairs at Ponysaurus Brewing, 214 Market St. Starts at 12:00pm Saturday.
Free entry. The club’s pitch is to bring a friend who needs to check out Aussie Rules.
Raleigh, NC
Hosted by the North Carolina Tigers at Hibernian Irish Pub, 311 Glenwood Ave. Starts at 1:00pm Saturday.
A replay at the Tigers’ home pub.
Don’t see your city?
Salt Lake City, Des Moines and Madison all had parties last year, but nothing has been announced for 2026 yet. Clubs sometimes post late, and often only on Facebook or Instagram.
Check Aussie Watch Party for the latest list, or look up your nearest club on the USAFL club list. If you know of a party we’ve missed, tell us and we’ll add it.
Six of the parties above are free: Chicago, Austin, Denver, Sacramento, Boston and Wilmington. The rest cost somewhere between a donation and a night out, and nearly all of that money goes back into local footy. See you at the pub.
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The Napa Valley Cricket Club is also hosting a watch party at The Garden, 1500 1st St, Napa, CA from 9:30pm PT. Entry is free.
Hey Josh, I hope you are doing well. I was wondering if you know whether the Preliminary Finals will be on locally in DC as I’m in town over that weekend.
Hope you can help.
Regards
Rod
Great question, I can only imagine so but I don’t have the details yet.