Overview
Musician, actor, cook book author, wrestling MC, wine brand owner, 2024 Paris Olympics correspondent and performer: these labels all describe Snoop Dogg. Here's another that's set to join the Californian rapper's list: AFL Grand Final headliner. The hip-hop icon will take to the stage at the MCG on Saturday, September 27, 2025, leading this year's pre-game entertainment.
Whichever teams make it to the season's final match, they won't want to be dropping anything like it's hot — but the man who hits the turf before them is bound to be singing about just that. AFL Grand Final headliners typically work through a range of their best-known and most-loved hits, so even if you aren't sipping on gin and juice at the game, you'll likely be hearing Snoop rap about it.
Cross your fingers for not only 'Drop It Like It's Hot' and 'Gin and Juice', but also 'What's My Name?', 'Snoop's Upside Ya Head' and plenty more to make it into his set before the game's 2.30pm AEST kickoff.
"It's an absolute honour to be hitting the stage at the AFL Grand Final — it's one of the biggest events on the Aussie calendar. Can't wait to bring the energy and celebrate with the fans. Let's make it unforgettable," Snoop Dogg said about the gig, as per the AFL.
"The AFL Grand Final is the biggest event on the Australian sporting calendar — and this year, it just got a whole lot bigger," AFL CEO Andrew Dillon advised.
"Snoop Dogg is a pioneer, a performer and a true entertainer. He's played to packed stadiums around the world — but we think 100,000 fans at the MCG might just be his most-iconic crowd yet."
"We want Grand Final Day to be an unforgettable celebration of footy — and beyond the four quarters of the match, a celebration of culture, energy and entertainment. Snoop fits that brief better than anyone."
"From Long Beach to the biggest stage in Australian sport — Snoop Dogg is coming to the MCG for the Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment, and we're ready to make history."
Snoop Dogg last played in Australia on his 2023 'I Wanna Thank Me' tour, which was postponed from 2022.
In headlining the AFL Grand Final, he follows in the footsteps of Katy Perry in 2024, KISS in 2023 and Robbie Williams in 2022, all recent overseas talents who've helped kick off the biggest day in Aussie Rules. The Killers, Black Eyed Peas, Sting, Chris Isaak, Ed Sheeran and Tom Jones, and Meatloaf have all done the honours since 2010, too.
If you're a Western Bulldogs fan, you might be thinking that Snoop's prime spot on the 2025 lineup is a sign. Given that he's also gone by Snoop Lion, you can claim that as well if you're a supporter of the Brisbane Lions, 2024's premiers.
Snoop Dogg is headlining the 2025 AFL Grand Final Pre-Game Entertainment at the MCG, Melbourne, on Saturday, September 27, 2025. For more information, including tickets to the game when they're available, head to the AFL website.
Top image: Andrew Chin/Getty Images.