The league has confirmed that the 2024 AFLW Grand Final will be played in the evening for the first time.
Following the completion of the Season 9 home and away campaign, which saw North Melbourne claim the minor premiership, the AFL has made a historic decision to push the highly-touted contest into the primetime slot.
The game will be played from 7.45pm (AEDT) on Saturday, November 30.
The venue for the Grand Final remains unknown, given AFLW rules dictate it is hosted by the highest-ranked qualifier. Clubs became aware last Thursday that it was likely the showpiece event would be held under lights for the first time.
Marvel Stadium has been ruled out by football boss Laura Kane.
"We obviously experimented with twilight (grand finals) during Covid โ this is different โฆ this takes into account really clear growth, metrics and inputs," Kane told media on Wednesday, per Fox Sports.
"This decision was made by (the AFL Commission), which we welcomed. The decision for the men's will continue to be made by the commission.
"But I think here we have an opportunity to do things differently. We don't have the same history; we have a different proposition, a different product, and we think we can do things to mix it up a little bit."
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Emma Moore, who is in her first season as AFLW general manager, said the change to a night game could bring in new audiences.
"This will enable more people to watch the biggest game on the AFLW calendar, exposing more people to our great game and an unforgettable atmosphere to close the season," Moore said.
"It will also create a dazzling spectacle for the grand final entertainment, which will be announced shortly."
The AFL has been flexible in the timing of its AFLW grand finals across the competition's short eight-season history, with four so far held on a Saturday and three โ including the last two โ being hosted on a Sunday.
Brisbane's triumph last year over North Melbourne was held at IKON Park, starting at the traditional time of 2.30pm.
The AFL has flirted with the idea of a night grand final for many years and got a glance of it in the men's competition during the COVID-19-impacted seasons. In 2020, Richmond's third flag in four years was won at the Gabba against Geelong, starting at 7.30 pm.
The following season saw Melbourne end a 57-year premiership drought when they defeated the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium during a twilight fixture, bouncing the ball at 5.15 pm (AEDT).
