AFL defends Snoop Dogg Grand Final performance amid media-access controversy

The Australian Football League confirmed that Snoop Dogg will perform at the Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a decision that comes amid a wave of criticism over how his selection was handled. The league sought to keep the on-stage portion tightly controlled after complaints about his selection, a move that drew attention because earlier entertainers such as Robbie Williams and Katy Perry did not receive the same level of media access. By the time the show began to take shape, the controversy had largely faded as Snoop arrived in Melbourne and prepared to blend football culture with a high-profile music spectacle.

Speaking at a tightly managed press session, Snoop Dogg addressed the significance of the AFL and its fans, offering remarks that appeared designed to bridge the sporting and entertainment cultures. "I'm expecting the crowd to be crazy, I know what this means," he said, adding that he has "been coming to this country for years and I understand what this game is and what it means." He also expressed anticipation for a capacity crowd at the MCG and said he is "here to do my part and to bring what I bring to the table." The session reinforced the league’s preference for controlled access around the performance, a stance AFL chief executive officer Andrew Dillon later defended when discussing the decision.

Earlier in the week, Snoop made a direct, visible impact on the event’s profile by taking a ceremonial kick at the MCG on Tuesday alongside Collingwood stars Nick and Josh Daicos. He connected both kicks, including a challenging snap from the pocket, in a moment that drew attention from fans and photographers and helped set the tone for a show that organizers hope will sit alongside the football as part of the Grand Final experience. The entertainment lineup is expected to feature several Australian acts, with Vera Blue, Tash Sultana, Baker Boy and Mike Brady already confirmed, and the possibility of additional surprise guests on the day.

The rapper’s footprint in football culture has also been highlighted by a custom footy card created in his honor and circulated to his 88.6 million Instagram followers, underscoring the cross-cultural appeal organizers are aiming for in a global event. In keeping with the event’s fan engagement, Snoop was presented with club jumpers from both teams ahead of making a tip, the Lions and Geelong cats, a moment designed to emphasize no allegiance as an entertainer taking part in a football ritual. He received a Brisbane Lions jumper bearing his name on the back and a Geelong Cats jumper marked Dogg on the front, reinforcing the symbolic bridge between his persona and the sport’s regional loyalties.

Asked to forecast a winner in the Geelong-Brisbane Lions clash, Snoop declined to pick a side, saying he would not "split half the people that love me." The AFL has stressed that the event’s value lies in bringing together different audiences, with the Grand Final lineup designed to showcase a fusion of sport and music. The dogs of risk and reward in such cross-cultural events are never uniform, but the league’s leadership has argued that a high-profile entertainer can help expand the game’s reach while preserving its core traditions.

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon defended the hire, emphasizing Snoop Dogg’s proven track record on global stages. "I've been really confident with the choice of Snoop," Dillon said, noting that the rapper has performed at the Olympics and the Super Bowl and will fit the Grand Final stage. He added that the decision was grounded in confidence that Snoop would deliver a show that meets the league’s standards for a Finals moment that resonates with both long-time fans and newcomers.

Observers had questioned whether the AFL’s priority on a global-caliber entertainer could eclipse the football itself. By the middle of Grand Final week, however, supporters pointed to Snoop’s public appearances, on-field moment, and the carefully curated lineup as evidence that the entertainment portion is integrated into the game rather than overshadowing it. The event remains a test case for the AFL’s ongoing strategy to blend sport with pop culture in a way that strengthens the grand final’s status as a marquee global sporting spectacle while maintaining the competition’s identity.

As the day of the Grand Final approached, the AFL presented a program intended to reflect a punchy, contemporary version of Australian football culture. In addition to Snoop Dogg’s performance, the day’s music slate features artists with broad appeal and deep ties to the country’s musical landscape, including Vera Blue, Tash Sultana, Baker Boy, and a musical nod from Mike Brady. The league has indicated that the guests joining Snoop will be announced closer to kickoff, with at least some components kept as surprises to maintain the event’s theatrical appeal. The broader plan, according to AFL officials, is to deliver a spectacle that respects the sport’s traditions while leveraging entertainment to broaden the audience and inject new energy into one of the sport’s defining moments.