The biggest day on the AFL’s calendar takes place this Saturday, 27 September.

That’s right, Grand Final Day is rapidly approaching, with a Victorian club (Geelong Cats) up against a Queensland rival (Brisbane Lions). The teams will play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), with both clubs vying to add more premiership medals to their collections.

Such a huge event can’t go ahead without some entertainment, of course, and this year, the AFL has locked in an international icon and some Australian stars to bring the energy ahead of the big game.

The Grand Final pre-game entertainment will commence at 1:30 pm AEST on Saturday, ahead of the game. The entertainment and the match will air on Channel 7 and 7plus.

Without further ado, here’s who you can watch ahead of kick-off at 2:30 pm. These are your pre-game entertainment performers.

HEADLINER: SNOOP DOGG

After weeks of speculation, the AFL confirmed that it had secured American rapper Snoop Dogg to headline the Grand Final pre-game entertainment back in August.

The performance marks Snoop Dogg’s debut at the MCG for what’s set to be one of the most memorable Grand Final spots in AFL history. That isn’t to say that he doesn’t have experience performing on such a momentous occasion.

In 2022, Snoop Dogg appeared at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, sharing the stage in a greatest of hip-hop performance with Dr Dre, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, and Eminem.

He said of the upcoming performance, “It’s an absolute honour to be hitting the stage at the AFL Grand Final — it’s one of the biggest events on the Aussie calendar. Can’t wait to bring the energy and celebrate with the fans. Let’s make it unforgettable.”

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon added, “Snoop Dogg is a pioneer, a performer, and a true entertainer. He’s played to packed stadiums around the world — but we think 100,000 fans at the MCG might just be his most iconic crowd yet.”

AUSTRALIAN TALENT: BAKER BOY, TASH SULTANA, VERA BLUE AND MIKE BRADY AM

Singer and rapper Baker Boy is set to perform with a powerful choir of Indigenous artists such as Emma Donovan and Kee’ahn while promoting his upcoming album, DJANDJAY.

Making a grand return for the AFL’s biggest day, he said, “I’m honoured to be invited by the AFL again to perform at the Grand Final.

“When I performed in Perth in 2021, I thought it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I’m thrilled to be on the line-up again and to share the stage with Snoop and my fellow Aussies. It’s gonna be huge!”

Meanwhile, one of Australia’s most talented musicians, Tash Sultana, will perform in Snoop Dogg’s band and is expected to showcase a “show-stopping guitar performance.”

They said of the epic gig, “It’s not every day you get chosen to join Snoop’s band and perform at the AFL Grand Final in front of 100,000 people, with millions more tuning in around the world.”

Vera Blue, performing the National Anthem at this year’s Grand Final, added: “I feel incredibly honoured to be given the opportunity to perform the National Anthem at Australia’s biggest sporting event.

“The AFL Grand Final is the pinnacle of our national sporting calendar, and I’m so proud to be such a part of such a significant moment.”

Lastly, musician Mike Brady AM will return to the field with his traditional footy anthems, Up There Cazaly, about the 1910s St Kilda and 1920s South Melbourne player Roy Cazaly, and One Day In September.