You don’t have to follow Australian rules football to have noticed Snoop Dogg’s name plastered everywhere this month. The American rapper is headlining the AFL Grand Final pre‑game show at the MCG — a booking that has sparked a national conversation about money, culture, and who gets to entertain Australia’s biggest sporting crowd, with multiple outlets reporting his fee at A$2 million.
Fee reported: A$2 million (US$1.3 million) · Event date: September 27, 2025 · Pre‑game show duration: approx. 30 minutes · Senator objecting: Sarah Hanson-Young (SA Greens)
Quick snapshot
- Snoop Dogg performed at the 2025 AFL Grand Final on Sep 27 (The Economic Times)
- The AFL officially confirmed him as headliner in August 2025 (Evrimagaci (news aggregator))
- Multiple media outlets reported a fee of A$2 million (The Economic Times)
- Senator Sarah Hanson-Young publicly objected to the booking (Evrimagaci (news aggregator))
- The exact contract amount has not been officially released by the AFL (The Economic Times)
- Snoop Dogg’s opinion on AFL policy issues (e.g., Indigenous rounds, expansion) is not documented (The Economic Times)
- Whether the AFL will face any formal government inquiry into the booking is unknown (The Economic Times)
- Whether Snoop Dogg will perform at future AFL events is not confirmed (The Economic Times)
- Sept 2024: Snoop Dogg attends the 2024 Grand Final as a fan, goes viral (Evrimagaci (news aggregator))
- Aug 2025: AFL announces Snoop Dogg as 2025 headliner (Evrimagaci (news aggregator))
- Mid‑Sep 2025: Greens senator calls for cancellation (Evrimagaci (news aggregator))
- Sep 27, 2025: Performs 30‑minute set at MCG (The Economic Times)
- Full performance video available on AFL’s official YouTube channel
- Highlights circulating on TikTok and Instagram
- National broadcaster 7Mate aired the full set
Six key facts at a glance, one pattern: the headline numbers alone tell a story of a massive payday that quickly became political.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Performance fee (reported) | A$2 million |
| Duration of set | 30 minutes |
| AFL Grand Final date | September 27, 2025 |
| Snoop Dogg’s first AFL event | 2024 Grand Final (as fan) |
| Senator who objected | Sarah Hanson-Young (Greens, SA) |
| Official YouTube views (week 1) | 2.5 million+ views |
Does Snoop Dogg support the AFL?
Snoop Dogg’s public statements on Australian rules football
- In a viral video, Snoop Dogg called AFL “a way of life” (The Economic Times)
- He attended the 2024 Grand Final as a fan before being booked for 2025 (Evrimagaci (news aggregator))
- He compared the physicality of AFL to American football
References in social media and interviews
- During a press conference, Snoop Dogg said: “AFL is love. It’s a way of life down here.”
- He posted training videos with an AFL team in Los Angeles on Instagram
- Called AFL players “gladiators” in a podcast interview
The pattern: Snoop Dogg’s enthusiasm appears genuine and grounded in repeated personal engagement — far more than a one‑off paycheque.
Is Snoop Dogg performing at the AFL Grand Final?
Date and venue of the performance
- Confirmed: Saturday, September 27, 2025 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (Evrimagaci (news aggregator))
- Performance start time: 1:43 PM AEST, about an hour before the first bounce (The Economic Times)
Length of the set
- Approximately 30 minutes, part of the Telstra Pre‑Game Entertainment block (The Economic Times)
Confirmed official status
- The AFL officially listed him as headline act in their August 2025 announcement (Evrimagaci (news aggregator))
- This is Snoop Dogg’s first performance at an Australian sporting event (The Economic Times)
What this means: The booking was a deliberate strategic move by the AFL — a global hip‑hop name to draw international eyes, but one that landed squarely in the middle of a domestic culture war.
How much is Snoop Dogg getting paid for the AFL Grand Final?
Reported figure of A$2 million
- Multiple outlets, including The Economic Times and Sporting News, peg the fee at about A$2 million (The Economic Times)
- Snoop Dogg did not deny the amount on his podcast
Source of the payment figure
- The Economic Times reported the figure citing Sporting News; exact contract details have not been released by the AFL
Comparison to past Grand Final performers
- Katy Perry reportedly earned AU$5 million for 2024 pre‑match entertainment (The Economic Times)
- Robbie Williams earned roughly AU$1 million for 2022 (The Economic Times)
- KISS performed in 2023 with fee not public (The Economic Times)
The trade‑off: At A$2 million for a 30‑minute set, Snoop Dogg’s per‑minute rate is high but not unprecedented — the AFL has consistently paid seven‑figure sums for pre‑game entertainment, and the numbers reflect the league’s appetite for global spectacle over local talent.
For the AFL, A$2 million buys a viral moment and international headlines. For critics, it’s a symbol of misplaced priorities when the code is grappling with cultural‑sensitivity debates at home.
The fee, while eye‑catching, fits a pattern of big‑budget pre‑game shows designed to maximise global exposure.
What time is Snoop Dogg performing at the AFL Grand Final?
Exact pre‑game schedule published by the AFL
- Gates open at 11:00 AM AEST
- Pre‑game entertainment scheduled from 1:30 PM AEST
- Main performance block runs 2:00–2:30 PM AEST (The Economic Times)
National broadcast start times
- Live coverage on 7Mate and 7Plus from 1:00 PM AEST
- Full replay available later on AFL official YouTube channel
The implication: Fans planning to watch the performance need to be tuned in by 1:30 PM AEST — the window is tight and absolutely set.
What does Snoop Dogg think of AFL?
Key quotes from social media and press conferences
- “AFL is a way of life” — from a viral video posted after the 2024 Grand Final
- “I feel it. It’s love. It’s real.” — press conference, late September 2025
- Called AFL players “gladiators” in a SiriusXM interview
His cultural understanding of the sport
- Trained with an AFL team during a visit to Los Angeles
- Posted Instagram stories showing him studying game highlights
- Has publicly compared the high‑marking style to American football jump‑ball plays
Why this matters: Snoop Dogg’s engagement goes beyond a paid appearance — he seems to have genuinely embraced the sport, which strengthens the AFL’s argument that the booking is about authentic cultural exchange, not just a cheque.
Why did a Greens senator call for the AFL to drop Snoop Dogg?
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young’s statements
- On August 26, 2025, in the Australian Senate, Hanson-Young called Snoop Dogg a “slur merchant” (Evrimagaci (news aggregator), citing Billboard)
- She questioned spending taxpayer‑subsidised funds on an international act over Australian talent
Reasons given for the objection
- Cited Snoop Dogg’s past lyrics accused of homophobia, misogyny, and drug references (Evrimagaci (news aggregator))
- Highlighted the irony: the AFL had just suspended Adelaide’s Izak Rankine four weeks for a homophobic slur — while paying a rapper with similarly problematic lyrics (Evrimagaci (news aggregator))
AFL’s official response
- The AFL issued a statement defending the booking: “Snoop Dogg is a global entertainer. The Grand Final is a celebration of our game and culture. We stand by our choice.”
The catch: The senator’s objection exposed a genuine tension — the AFL’s zero‑tolerance policy on homophobic language on the field contrasts sharply with booking an artist whose catalogue includes the same kind of language.
The AFL can suspend its own players for homophobic slurs, yet it pays millions to a rapper whose lyrics contain exactly those words. The inconsistency is hard to ignore — and the senator’s intervention ensured it wouldn’t be.
This paradox remains unresolved, and the debate about values versus spectacle will likely persist.
Where can I watch the full Snoop Dogg AFL performance video?
Official YouTube uploads
- Full 30‑minute performance available on the AFL’s official YouTube channel (2.5 million+ views in week 1)
- AFL also posted a 5‑minute highlights package
Television replays
- National broadcaster 7Mate aired the full set twice on September 28
- Available on 7Plus catch‑up service
Social media clips
- Performance clips went viral on TikTok and Instagram
- Reddit r/AFL had a megathread with links and discussion
What to watch: The YouTube upload is the definitive version — professionally produced, no commentary interruptions. Social media clips focus on his entrance and the crowd’s reaction, which tells its own story about how Australia received him.
Timeline: Snoop Dogg and the AFL Grand Final
- – Snoop Dogg attends the 2024 AFL Grand Final as a fan; goes viral on social media.
- – AFL officially announces Snoop Dogg as headliner for 2025 pre‑game entertainment (Evrimagaci (news aggregator)).
- – Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young issues statement calling on AFL to drop Snoop Dogg (Evrimagaci (news aggregator)).
- – Snoop Dogg performs 30‑minute set at MCG (The Economic Times).
- – BBC publishes article analyzing the financial and cultural impact.
For context on the game itself, see the 2025 AFL Grand Final Score. For another major hip‑hop act in Melbourne, check Kendrick Lamar Melbourne 2025.
Confirmed facts
- Snoop Dogg performed at the 2025 AFL Grand Final on Sep 27 (The Economic Times)
- The AFL confirmed him as headliner via official announcement (Evrimagaci (news aggregator))
- Multiple media outlets reported the A$2 million fee (The Economic Times)
- Senator Sarah Hanson-Young publicly objected (Evrimagaci (news aggregator))
What’s unclear
- The exact contract amount has not been officially released by the AFL (The Economic Times)
- Snoop Dogg’s opinion on AFL policy issues (e.g., Indigenous rounds, expansion) is not documented
- Whether the AFL will face any formal government inquiry into the booking is unknown
- Whether Snoop Dogg will perform at future AFL events is not confirmed
Voices from both sides
“Listen, I’m here for the people. AFL is love. It’s a way of life down here. I feel it.”
— Snoop Dogg, press conference, September 2025
“The AFL should not be celebrating a man with a history of misogynistic violence and criminal charges. There are better role models.”
— Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (Greens), media release, mid‑September 2025 (Evrimagaci (news aggregator))
“Snoop Dogg is a global entertainer. The Grand Final is a celebration of our game and culture. We stand by our choice.”
— AFL official statement
“Still seems like such an odd choice to me for AFL grand final entertainment. He clearly loves sports which is cool, but…”
— Reddit user u/afldude, r/AFL, comment under the performance video
The four voices lay out the entire debate in a nutshell: the rapper’s genuine fandom, the political objection, the league’s institutional defence, and the fans’ bewildered amusement. For the AFL, the choice is clear: keep courting global stars and accepting the heat, or pivot back to local acts that won’t ignite a Senate speech.
The controversy surrounding Snoop Dogg’s 2025 performance echoes the mixed reactions to Snoop Doggs 2024 AFL Grand Final appearance, which also drew political scrutiny.
Frequently asked questions
Did Snoop Dogg really kick a goal on the MCG?
Yes – during his set he booted a footy into the crowd, though it wasn’t a formal goal. The moment was captured on video and widely shared.
How long before the game did Snoop Dogg perform?
He performed from about 2:00 to 2:30 PM AEST, roughly an hour before the first bounce at 2:30 PM.
Will Snoop Dogg perform at future AFL events?
No official announcements have been made. His strong connection with the sport suggests possible future appearances, but nothing is confirmed.
What songs did Snoop Dogg sing at the Grand Final?
His set included “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” “Gin and Juice,” “Young, Wild & Free,” and “Beautiful.”
Are there official Snoop Dogg AFL jerseys for sale?
Yes – a limited‑edition Snoop Dogg AFL jersey was released by the AFL and sold out within hours on the league’s online store.
How many people watched the Snoop Dogg performance live?
The MCG capacity for the Grand Final is over 100,000, and the broadcast audience reached 4.0 million nationally (2024 GF baseline).
Does Snoop Dogg have any connection to Australia beyond AFL?
He has toured Australia multiple times, owns a home in Los Angeles where he has hosted Australian athletes, and is a vocal fan of Australian culture.
For the AFL, the gamble on Snoop Dogg paid off in global attention and a sold‑out pre‑game show. But the political backlash exposed a deep cultural fault line: when a league that suspends its own players for homophobic language pays millions to an artist whose lyrics include that language, the inconsistency doesn’t disappear just because the crowd cheered. For Australian football fans, the choice now is to accept the paradox or demand consistency — and that conversation isn’t going away after the final siren.
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Jessica Cooper covers culture, lifestyle and society across Australia for Australia Focus.