TENS OF thousands of footy fans are expected in Melbourne on Friday for the Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade.
Adelaide and Richmond players lining up in Saturday's Grand Final will be the focus of the parade, which starts at 12pm at the Old Treasury Building in Spring Street and finishes at the Toyota AFL Grand Final Live Site at Yarra Park outside the MCG.
Richmond Grand Final Game Day Hub
The parade has been part of the build-up to the Grand Final since 1977, when players from North Melbourne and Collingwood were driven north along St Kilda Road and Swanston Street and then east up Collins Street before finishing at the Old Treasury Building. The new route was introduced in 2015.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early (entertainment starts at 11am, with the press conferences featuring the captains and coaches shown on big screens from 11.15am) and to use public transport to get to the city.
The free tram zone that usually operates in the CBD has been extended to Yarra Park until the end of Saturday. Tram services from the city to stops 9, 10, and 11 on Wellington Parade near the MCG and to stops 7a and 7b at Rod Laver Arena and stop 7c at MCG/Hisense Arena are free.
Many roads around the parade precinct will be progressively closed from 7am Friday, with selected tram and bus services normally operating in the area to be halted or diverted. Roads will be progressively re-opened between 1.30 and 3pm.
After the parade, fans can enjoy free entertainment at the AFL's annual Footy Festival, outside gate 3 of the MCG.
The Footy Festival (which includes the Toyota AFL Grand Final Live Site) features activities for fans of all ages, including footy clinics and an adventure zone for kids. Fans can also meet AFL players, watch live broadcasts of radio and television programs, test their skills in various competitions, and enjoy a wide choice of eats from some of Melbourne's leading food trucks.
After the Grand Final on Saturday, fans can watch a free performance by The Killers at the Virgin Australia premiership party, from 6-8pm, inside the MCG. Entry is via gates 4, 5 and 6.
The Footy Festival runs 10am-6pm Thursday and 9am-6pm Friday and Saturday.
