Heavy rain has arrived in Melbourne on AFL Grand Final day, creating challenging conditions around the Melbourne Cricket Ground as Brisbane Lions and Fremantle prepare to contest the 2026 premiership decider.

The weather has become an important part of the day's atmosphere, with rain affecting the MCG and creating wet conditions for supporters arriving at the stadium. The grand final is being played at the MCG on Saturday, September 26, with the Brisbane Lions facing Fremantle in the season's final match.

The wet weather has also affected travel. Flights travelling from Brisbane towards Melbourne have experienced delays and cancellations, creating additional challenges for fans making their way to the Victorian capital for the match. The disruption comes on one of Australia's busiest sporting days, when thousands of interstate supporters are travelling to Melbourne.

At the MCG, rain has been falling ahead of the match, with conditions expected to influence how the game is played. A wet surface can affect ball handling, kicking accuracy and players' ability to maintain footing, potentially changing the way teams approach different phases of the contest.

The grand final has attracted enormous attention because both clubs are attempting to add another chapter to their respective histories. Brisbane are returning to the premiership decider after their recent finals campaigns, while Fremantle are chasing their first AFL premiership.

The Dockers have never previously won an AFL premiership, making the 2026 grand final particularly significant for the Western Australian club and its supporters. Brisbane, meanwhile, are seeking another premiership after establishing themselves as one of the competition's leading teams in recent seasons.

Supporters from both clubs have travelled to Melbourne for the occasion. Fremantle fans have created a strong presence around the city, with purple colours visible throughout Melbourne as supporters prepare for the historic match.

Weather conditions are also being closely watched because they can change during the course of an afternoon. Even if rain eases, a wet playing surface can remain an important factor for players throughout the game.

The AFL Grand Final is one of Australia's biggest annual sporting events, attracting a large television audience as well as tens of thousands of spectators at the MCG. The combination of the interstate rivalry, Fremantle's pursuit of its first premiership and Melbourne's unpredictable weather has created an unusual backdrop for this year's decider.

As the match progresses, the weather will remain one of the factors supporters and players must contend with. For fans travelling from Brisbane and Western Australia, however, the priority is reaching Melbourne and the MCG in time to witness the 2026 AFL premiership decided on the field.