The AFL Kids Go Free For Footy Round 21 offers free tickets for children 14 and under across Victoria.
The Victorian government initiative provides free AFL admission for all children aged 14 years and under for Round 21 matches in Victoria. Kids Go Free For Footy Round 21 builds on the success of last year’s debut, when more than 6000 kids attended matches in Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos joined AFL CEO Andrew Dillon at Marvel Stadium to announce the return of the popular program. The initiative forms part of the government’s broader AFL Events Package, which includes support for the 2025 Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade and Footy Festival.
The AFL Kids Go Free For Footy – Round 21
- When: Round 21, beginning Thursday 31 July
- Where: Marvel Stadium, MCG, GMHBA Stadium Geelong
- Eligibility: Children aged 14 years and under
- Matches: Five blockbuster games across Melbourne and Geelong
- Thursday 31 July: Western Bulldogs v GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium
- Saturday: Melbourne v West Coast at Marvel Stadium, Collingwood v Brisbane Lions at MCG
- Sunday: St Kilda v North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, Geelong v Port Adelaide at GMHBA Stadium
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Round 21 kicks off the final month of the home-and-away season with five blockbuster matches. The Thursday night opener sees the Western Bulldogs host GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium, which will also welcome Melbourne and West Coast on Saturday afternoon.
A rematch of the 2023 Grand Final takes centre stage at the MCG on Saturday night as Collingwood takes on the Brisbane Lions. On Sunday, the Saints and Kangaroos meet at Marvel Stadium while Geelong Cats face Port Adelaide at GMHBA Stadium.
Last year’s Kids Go Free For Footy Round 21 proved highly successful, with the free children’s tickets representing more than a quarter of total general admission tickets for that round. The program demonstrates the government’s commitment to making sport accessible regardless of background or financial circumstances.
The Kids Go Free initiative is part of broader government support for Victorian families, including making public transport free for kids and teens, supporting families to pay for camps, sports and excursions, and backing sport participation programs. Other family support measures include free public transport for seniors on weekends and boosting food relief services across the state.
The government is also providing another $100 Power Saving Bonus for families who need it most, making healthcare more accessible including free pharmacy services, and helping households install more efficient heat pumps and solar water systems.
The AFL Events Package represents a significant investment in Victorian sport and tourism, providing a boost for young footy fans and their families looking to support their teams before finals begin. Victoria’s position as Australia’s sporting capital is reinforced through initiatives that make major events accessible to all families.
The program aligns with the AFL’s commitment to accessibility and affordability, addressing cost-of-living pressures while allowing families to enjoy blockbuster football matches during the crucial final weeks of the home-and-away season.
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