Kardinia Park to again host Geelong FNL Grand Finals
AFL Barwon is excited to confirm that the 2025 Blood Toyota Geelong Football Netball League (GFNL) Grand Finals will once again be held at GMHBA Stadium.
This decision reinforces a shared commitment to providing a high-quality experience for participants, supporters, and the wider Barwon community, and comes off the back of strong collaboration between AFL Barwon, the Geelong Cats, and the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust (KPST). Together, the three organisations have worked through key operational and financial considerations, to ensure the return of the Grand Final to GMHBA Stadium is both achievable and sustainable.
The 2024 Blood Toyota GFNL Grand Final Day attracted more than 10,000 attendees to GMHBA Stadium, with an additional 10,000-plus viewers tuning in via live stream. This strong community engagement highlighted the broad appeal of the region’s premier football and netball competitions and reinforced the need for a venue capable of accommodating a crowd of this scale, both in terms of capacity and supporting infrastructure such as parking and event operations.
This year’s event will once again take place on the AFL Grand Final Eve public holiday Friday, 26 September giving families, friends, and fans an opportunity to attend this marquee community event.
AFL Barwon Commission Chair, Michelle Gerdtz said the return of the grand finals to GMHBA Stadium followed a comprehensive review of the 2024 event, including a detailed analysis and logistical evaluation.
“While last year’s Grand Finals were a major success, it also highlighted some key challenges that we needed to address in order to proceed”.
“We have undertaken thorough due diligence, working closely with the Geelong Cats and Kardinia Park Stadium Trust to develop a sustainable model for 2025. The event simply wouldn’t be viable without their continued support and the valued contribution of commercial partners.”
“We’re appreciative to all involved for recognising the importance of delivering a high-quality finals experience for our community.”
Geelong Cats Chief Operating Officer Marcus King expressed his excitement about the return of community football and netball to Kardinia Park.
“We are thrilled to see the GFNL Grand Finals return to GMHBA Stadium in 2025. The Kardinia Park precinct plays host to a number of major sporting and entertainment events for the region and along with Kardinia Park Stadium Trust and AFL Barwon, we’re looking forward to seeing marquee community football and netball take centre stage in the precinct in September.”
Kardinia Park Stadium Trust CEO Gerard Griffin also welcomed the return of the event to the precinct.
“KPST is delighted to welcome back the local Geelong Football Netball League Grand Finals at GMHBA Stadium in 2025. It has been fantastic to see the collaboration between our organisations to make this event happen again this year, and to ensure these flagship community sport events remain within the Kardinia Park Precinct.”
All three partners, along with the City of Greater Geelong, are committed to enhancing the experience for clubs, players, and the broader community. We would also like to thank Force Response Security & Miepol for their valued support of this event.
AFL Barwon extends its thanks to the Geelong Cats and Kardinia Park Stadium Trust for their continued support in elevating community football and netball in the region and believe this will be a wonderful experience for the greater community and broader AFL Barwon stakeholders.
Event FAQs
Will spectators be allowed on the ground?
AFL Barwon and KPST understand the importance of on-ground engagement for community Grand Finals. Further announcements on how this may be achieved, in the context of weather/ground condition and the scheduled matches, will be made in the lead up to the day.
Will supporters be able to enter the changerooms at the conclusion of the match?
Yes, they will be able to, however changeroom access will be pending the capacity limits of the spaces as dictated by permit conditions.
Will access to the venue be improved, considering the long queues in 2024?
Yes, the ticketing booths will be open to purchase tickets which will help ensure queues will be shorter, in addition prepurchase tickets will also be available and encouraged, to fast-track entry into the venue.
Will more of the stadium be opened this year?
AFL Barwon and Kardinia Park Stadium Trust will work together to assess the need for additional seating, to ensure patron comfort is prioritised.
What time with the game start?
AFL Barwon have not yet confirmed the start time for matches and continue to work with the KPST on further enhancements to the experience. This will be announced in due course.
2025 Blood Toyota Geelong Football Netball League Finals Series
Week 1 – West Oval
Saturday, September 6 - Qualifying Finals
Sunday, September 7 - Elimination Finals
Week 2 – West Oval
Saturday, September 13 - Second Semi Finals
Sunday, September 14 - First Semi Finals
Week 3 – West Oval
Saturday, September 20 - Preliminary Finals
Week 4 – GHMBA Stadium & Kardinia Park Precinct
Friday, September 26 - Grand Finals
