The Ultimate AFL Travel Bucket List: 9 Experiences for Every AFL Fan

Few sporting traditions inspire travel quite like AFL. From iconic stadiums and interstate rivalries to road trips and Grand Final week, following the game offers countless reasons to explore Australia.

3 August 2026

5 minutes

From packed grandstands at the MCG to interstate road trips and iconic rivalry clashes, Australian Football League (AFL) culture is about much more than what happens on the field.

 

For many supporters, travelling to matches is part of the experience, whether that means heading to Adelaide for Gather Round, crossing the country for an away game, or ticking off every AFL stadium in Australia.

 

If you're building your own AFL travel bucket list, these are the experiences that belong on every AFL fan's itinerary.

AFL travel bucket list experiences at a glance

  • AFL Grand Final at the MCG – Best for: Every AFL supporter
  • Gather Round in Adelaide – Best for: Footy-focused weekends away
  • Dreamtime at the 'G – Best for: Cultural significance and spectacle
  • Interstate away game – Best for: Supporting your club on the road
  • Visit every AFL stadium – Best for: Dedicated football travellers
  • Traditional rivalry match – Best for: Atmosphere and passion
  • MCG Tour and Australian Sports Museum – Best for: Behind-the-scenes access
  • AFL-themed road trip – Best for: Combining football with travel
  • AFL Finals Week – Best for: Experiencing the best of the best

1. Attend an AFL Grand Final at the MCG

Best for: AFL fans chasing one of the game's most iconic experiences.

 

For many supporters, attending an AFL Grand Final is the ultimate football pilgrimage. Held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the game brings together fans from across Australia for one of the nation's biggest sporting events.

 

Even if your team isn't playing, Grand Final week offers a chance to experience Australian football at its highest level. Across Melbourne, supporter events, match-week celebrations, and packed venues create a city-wide occasion that draws fans from every corner of the country.

 

Highlights include:

  • Watching the AFL Premiership Season decider live
  • Experiencing Grand Final week festivities
  • Seeing the pre-match entertainment
  • Joining thousands of travelling supporters

 

Where to stay: Located opposite the MCG and Melbourne's sporting precinct, Pullman East Melbourne places you within walking distance of the AFL Grand Final, Rod Laver Arena, and Melbourne Olympic Park, making it an ideal base for a football-focused weekend.

2. Travel to Gather Round in Adelaide

Best for: Football fans planning a dedicated AFL getaway.

 

Gather Round is one of the AFL's newest traditions, bringing every club, thousands of travelling fans, and a full round of matches to South Australia.

 

For AFL fans, it's a rare opportunity to build an entire trip around the game, combining multiple matches with time spent exploring Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, the Barossa, and other celebrated food and wine regions. Since its debut in 2023, Gather Round has become one of the standout weekends on the AFL travel calendar.

 

Popular experiences include:

  • Watching multiple AFL matches in one weekend
  • Exploring Adelaide Oval
  • Visiting the Barossa, McLaren Vale, or Adelaide Hills
  • Joining supporter events hosted across the city

 

Where to stay: ibis Adelaide is located in Adelaide's city centre, within walking distance of Adelaide Oval and close to Rundle Mall, making it a convenient base for a weekend of football and sightseeing.

3. Experience Dreamtime at the 'G

Best for: Fans looking to experience one of the AFL's most meaningful events.

 

Dreamtime at the 'G is one of the AFL season's most significant fixtures. Traditionally contested by Essendon and Richmond at the MCG, the match celebrates Indigenous culture and recognises the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Australian football.

 

For many AFL fans, attending Dreamtime at the 'G is about more than witnessing a marquee match. It's an opportunity to be part of a tradition that honours culture, connection, and the enduring influence of Indigenous Australians on the game.

 

Highlights include:

  • Indigenous cultural performances
  • Specially designed guernseys
  • Match-day entertainment and ceremonies
  • A unique atmosphere at the MCG

 

Where to stay: Located in the heart of Melbourne's CBD, Novotel Melbourne Central offers easy access to Melbourne's free tram network and is well positioned for AFL fans travelling to the MCG, Marvel Stadium, and other major sporting venues.

4. Follow your team interstate for an away game

Best for: Loyal supporters who rarely miss a match.

 

Following your club on the road can be one of the most rewarding ways to experience AFL. Every away trip offers a chance to explore a different city while supporting your team alongside travelling fans.

 

Whether you're heading to Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Hobart, or the Gold Coast, interstate AFL matches offer a reason to explore parts of Australia you might not otherwise visit.

 

Why AFL fans love away games:

  • Discovering new destinations
  • Meeting supporters from across Australia
  • Experiencing different AFL stadium atmospheres
  • Turning football weekends into a short city break

5. Visit every AFL stadium in Australia

Best for: Dedicated football bucket-list travellers.

 

For some supporters, attending matches at every AFL venue is the ultimate challenge. From historic grounds to contemporary venues, every AFL stadium reflects the character of the city, club, and community that call it home.

 

You might start at the MCG before working your way through Marvel Stadium, Adelaide Oval, Optus Stadium, the Gabba, People First Stadium, ENGIE Stadium, SCG, and more.

 

Must-visit AFL venues include:

6. Attend a traditional rivalry match

Best for: Fans who love high-stakes football and electric atmospheres.

 

Some AFL fixtures carry extra significance because of decades of history between clubs. Rivalry games often attract larger crowds and heightened anticipation, making them ideal additions to your AFL bucket list.

 

While every supporter has a favourite rivalry, several fixtures consistently rank among the competition's most anticipated.

 

Classic AFL rivalry matches include:

  • Carlton vs Collingwood
  • Adelaide vs Port Adelaide
  • West Coast Eagles vs Fremantle
  • Hawthorn vs Geelong
  • Essendon vs Carlton

7. Go behind the scenes at the MCG and Australian Sports Museum

Best for: Football historians and curious travellers.

 

A visit to the MCG doesn't have to end with the final siren. Guided tours offer the opportunity to step inside one of Australia's most famous sporting venues and experience the stories, traditions, and moments that have inspired generations of football fans.

 

Just next door, the Australian Sports Museum invites you to explore the athletes, achievements, and defining moments that continue to inspire sports fans across the country.

 

Highlights include:

  • MCG player and media areas
  • Historic sporting stories
  • Interactive exhibits
  • Australian football memorabilia

8. Plan an AFL-themed road trip

Best for: AFL fans combining football with food, wine, and sightseeing.

 

Some of the best AFL experiences happen beyond the stadium gates. An AFL-themed road trip allows you to pair match-day excitement with regional attractions, local food, and the opportunity to discover a different side of Australia between games.

 

Popular itineraries include:

 

What to include in your AFL road trip itinerary:

  • AFL matches and stadium tours
  • Regional food experiences
  • Wine regions and cellar doors
  • Coastal and scenic drives

 

Where to stay: Pair city and regional experiences by starting your AFL road trip at Sofitel Adelaide near Adelaide Oval, before heading to Novotel Barossa Valley Resort for a few days among the wineries, cellar doors, and rolling landscapes of the Barossa.

9. Experience the atmosphere of AFL Finals Week

Best for: Supporters who love September football.

 

For many AFL fans, experiencing Finals Week is a bucket-list moment in itself. The stakes are higher, the crowds are larger, and every match feels like a chapter in the journey towards the Grand Final.

 

It's an opportunity to immerse yourself in one of Australian sport's most cherished traditions, sharing the experience with supporters who have travelled from near and far to witness the season's defining moments.

 

What makes Finals Week special:

  • Knockout football
  • Sell-out crowds
  • Club supporter events
  • Opportunities to attend Preliminary Finals and the AFL Grand Final

Tick off your AFL bucket list with Accor

From iconic AFL stadiums to football weekends away, some of the best AFL experiences begin with the journey. As the Official Travel Partner of the AFL, Accor helps you make the most of every trip.

 

Book your AFL accommodation directly on ALL.com or through the ALL Accor app, and join the free ALL Accor loyalty programme to enjoy member benefits, earn Reward points on eligible stays, and access to exclusive money-can't-buy experiences.

FAQs about AFL bucket-list experiences

What is the best AFL trip for first-time AFL fans?

If you're planning your first AFL travel experience, watching a match at the MCG is a great place to start. As the traditional home of Australian football, it offers the chance to experience the scale, history, and atmosphere that make the sport so popular across Australia.

How far in advance should I book AFL travel?

For major events such as the AFL Grand Final, AFL Finals Week, and Gather Round, consider locking in flights and hotel accommodation as early as possible. Demand for travel and hotel accommodation often increases around marquee fixtures, particularly in Melbourne and Adelaide.

Which Australian cities are best for an AFL weekend away?

Melbourne is often considered the heart of AFL, but Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, and Sydney all offer memorable football experiences. Many AFL fans combine a match with local attractions, dining experiences, or a longer holiday.

Can I visit AFL stadiums outside of match days?

It's possible to visit AFL stadiums outside of match days, with many venues offering tours, museums, or visitor experiences throughout the year. Venues such as the MCG provide behind-the-scenes access, while some stadiums also host concerts, sporting events, and community activities outside the AFL season.

What's the best way to plan an AFL-themed road trip?

When planning an AFL-themed road trip, start by selecting a match or AFL stadium you want to visit, then build an itinerary around nearby attractions. Popular AFL travel routes often combine football with regional food and wine experiences, coastal drives, or cultural landmarks.

Is AFL travel suitable for families?

Many AFL matches are family-friendly and can easily form part of a broader holiday. Cities such as Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, and Brisbane offer a range of attractions that appeal to travellers of all ages before and after game day.

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