Victoria to reap the benefits of an all-interstate AFL Grand Final

Victoria to reap the benefits of an all-interstate AFL Grand Final

For just the second time since the introduction of the Victorian Grand Final eve public holiday in 2015, the AFL’s showpiece match will feature two teams from outside of Victoria.  An RMIT expert explains the economic boost of having two interstate teams contest the Grand Final, and considers the effectiveness of this Friday’s public holiday. 

Professor Angel Zhong, School of Economics, Finance and Marketing: 

"Saturday's Grand Final will bring new money into the state, even without a Victorian team participating. 

"Grand Final weekend could generate up to $75 million in total economic activity for Victoria.  An all-Victorian derby would deliver roughly a third of that. 

"The difference comes down to where the money comes from.  When interstate fans fly in, stay in hotels and eat in our restaurants, that is genuinely new money entering Victoria.  When people go to a local derby, they are mostly redirecting spending they would have made in the state anyway. 

"Whether the Grand Final eve public holiday benefits Victoria depends on both the industry and where businesses are located.  A restaurant near the MCG or in the CBD that attracts Grand Final crowds may have one of its best days of the year, even after paying higher wages.  

“But a café in a business district that relies on office workers, or a suburban restaurant with no connection to the game, may face higher wage costs with fewer customers, or decide to close altogether. 

"For employers, higher penalty rates are a real cost. For employees who work the day, they're receiving extra income, though that's largely a transfer within the Victorian economy rather than new money.  

“Where businesses close, casual staff may lose a shift altogether. How it balances out depends on the individual business; whether it opens, how busy it is, and whether it can make up the lost day." 

Dr Angel Zhong is a Professor of Finance, specialising in global financial markets, behaviour and trends.

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General media enquiries: RMIT External Affairs and Media, 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au

22 September 2026

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