The MCG has anchored down the Grand Final until 2057 due to a Victorian government sports package deal that is set to be officially announced on Friday.
The agreement between the AFL and Labor governments' Daniel Andrews will amount to a total of $500million in funding, ensuring upgrades to the MCG facilities and the Etihad Stadium rebuild as part of a broader investment.
Shaking hands on the deal, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan risked upsetting non-Victorian clubs and their executives by ensuring that the Grand Final will only be held at the MCG.
McLachlan held a conference call between all 18-clubs' chief executives and agreed to promise a charter flight to Melbourne for non-Victorian teams if they are successful in reaching the Grand Final. They will also be offered more access to train on the MCG ahead of home and away games and prior to the AFL finals.
The investment comes just a week after AFL journalist Mike Sheahan told SEN Breakfast that "there is a high-powered official from a non-Victorian club that believes" in having the Grand Final format reformed because it will "minimise the disadvantage that non-Victorian teams suffer."
The deal will entail an upgrade to the MCG's Great Southern Stand as the AFL wishes to keep the capacity of the venue above 100,000 as a state of the art stadium.
Other venues benefiting from the mega-deal include; Ikon Park, Mars Stadium, Casey Fields, Whitten Oval, Victoria Park and Morrabin Oval.
The enhancement of these facilities is an effort to improve facilities to accommodate the rapid growth of women's football and local level sport particularly significant suburbs and regional locations.
An announcement from Premier Daniel Andrews can be expected later on Friday.