AFL makes history by giving green light to the code's first night grand final - and the first decider played AWAY from Melbourne
- The Gabba in Brisbane will host 2020 AFL grand final on October 24 under lights
- First time in code's 124-year history major event will be held outside Melbourne
- More details to be announced Wednesday, including twilight or night start time
Brisbane will host the 2020 AFL grand final with the decider to be played under lights for the first time.
The historic occasion will be played outside Melbourne for the first time in the AFL's 124-year history as the city battles a second coronavirus wave.
The AFL Commission considered bids from Brisbane, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide to host the October 24 grand final, which is regarded one of the biggest events on the Australian sporting calendar.
The Commission settled on the Gabba as the new venue on Tuesday with more details expected to be revealed on Wednesday.
The time of the opening bounce is yet to be revealed but will be played in a twilight or evening timeslot and could clash with the iconic Cox Plate horse race.
The AFL grand final will be played outside Melbourne for the first time. Pictured are the Richmond Tigers in 2019 after winning their second premiership in three seasons
The AFL premiership trophy was spotted at Melbourne Airport being loaded onto a Queensland-bound flight on Tuesday.
AFL chief executive Gil McLachlan was tight-lipped when pressed for more details while boarding a plane for the Gold Coast from Melbourne.
'There is a recommendation to the commission that's been accepted,' McLachlan told reporters.
'But there's stuff we're working through clearly today with the Victorian government and the relevant bodies and hopefully we get there.
'We're looking forward to completing it tonight or in the morning and making an announcement tomorrow.'
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The Gabba in Brisbane will host the AFL grand final on October 24. Pictured are AFL crowds at the venue on Sunday for the clash between Collingwood and Carlton
It's understood the AFL will recoup $12 million in ticket sales by hosting the grand final at the Gabba with a 30,000-seat capacity, the Herald Sun reported.
The announcement has already caused a stir with AFL's biggest rival code
'Very strategic from the AFL, almost bordering on evil.' ' NRL 360 host Ben Ikin joked on the Fox Sports program Wednesday night.
Panellist Brent Read added: 'What do you expect from them? I'm not too worried about the AFL. How long have they been trying to take over Queensland now? And they've barely made a dent. I mean, good luck.'
AFL superstar Dustin Martin and his Richmond Tigers teammates hope to claim back to back titles when the grand final is played in Brisbane for the first time
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the government 'made a very comprehensive pitch.
'We know when the AFL first floated the idea of a hub, we welcomed that idea and worked with the Chief Health Officer to make that happen. Since then we have hosted nearly the entire AFL competition,' she said.
'If Queensland is fortunate [enough to host the grand final], we know that it is just this once and it is to look after the AFL whilst Victoria is going through a very difficult time.'
The AFL grand final is traditionally held on the last Saturday of September in front of 100,000 fans at the MCG, which has hosting rights until at least 2057.
