Pop superstar Kylie Minogue headlined the pre-game entertainment at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, delivering a 20-minute set before the 2026 AFL Grand Final between the Brisbane Lions and the Fremantle Dockers.
The 58-year-old Melbourne native began her performance at 1:39 p. m.
AEST, running through a medley of hits from her nearly 40-year career.
Her set included Love At First Sight, Spinning Around, Confide In Me, and Padam Padam.
Minogue was reportedly paid 3 million Australian dollars for the show.
It marked the first time in four years that an Australian act headlined the Grand Final pre-game slot, following recent international headliners Snoop Dogg and Katy Perry.
A Homecoming Spectacle at the MCG
A pre-recorded video package tracing Minogue's journey from Camberwell High to the MCG opened the spectacle.
A schoolgirl character holding a Walkman then appeared on the field as a brief snippet of I Should Be So Lucky played.
In a voiceover during the opening prelude, Minogue said, "Well, you've come a long way since the start of things.
You've made us cry, you've made us smile … there's one day in September we want to remember … football's such a part of this whole town, and we know that you won't let us down.
A homecoming like this? I should be so lucky."
Minogue then appeared atop a central plinth in the middle of an X-shaped stage, backed by dancers wearing futuristic helmets and blue bodysuits as she launched into Love At First Sight.
The performance featured multiple wardrobe changes, including a mini-dress embroidered with Melbourne and 2026, alongside a string section and guest appearances on stage.
Indigenous musician William Barton played acoustic guitar during Confide In Me, while local singer-songwriter G Flip joined Minogue on guitar and vocals for Padam Padam, accompanied by dancers clad in red feathers.
Prior to the performance, Minogue said, "I'm hoping I don't get too overcome with emotion – I might."
In an interview with 7News Melbourne, she added, "They're getting a show. They're getting a Melbourne girl performing in her hometown, which is wild to me."
Comedy duo The Inspired Unemployed introduced The Loco-Motion before Minogue emerged atop a giant disco-ball Sherrin football rig, floating over the field during Can't Get You Out Of My Head and a Dom Dolla remix.
The pre-match program also included performances by Michael Paynter, who sang the Australian national anthem, and Mike Brady, who performed Up There Cazaly during the retiree motorcade.
