Katy Perry is set to become the latest pop superstar to headline the AFL Grand Final entertainment, in a big swing for new CEO Andrew Dillon’s first year in charge.
The Herald Sun’s Jay Clark reported on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle a deal is close to being struck, which will see the 39-year-old return to the MCG for the second time in four years.
Perry, known for hits like Firework, Roar, Teenage Dream, Dark Horse and Last Friday Night, starred before the Women’s T20 World Cup final in 2020, then celebrating with the victorious Aussies in brilliant post-match scenes.
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Perry is expected to feature at a daytime Grand Final with a 2:30pm start time not yet locked in – but a change this late in the season would be extremely unlikely.
Clark estimated her appearance will cost the around $5 million.
“Expect this to be announced in coming weeks. The AFL has been in talks with Perry’s management for the last couple of months,” Clark said on Fox Footy.
“The AFL have wanted the biggest names to headline its showpiece event at the end of the year and Katy Perry, it must be said, is one of the world’s top female artists. I think 50 million downloads per month on Spotify.
“She’ll headline barring a last-minute backflip.”
Perry performed at a private show hosted by billionaire businessman Anthony Pratt in Melbourne earlier this year.
She would join the likes of Kiss (2023), Robbie Williams (2022), the Black Eyed Peas (2018) and The Killers (2017) as recent Grand Final headline acts.
The AFL told the Herald Sun it would confirm its plans in the coming weeks.
“In recent years the Toyota AFL Grand Final headline performances have been world class and we are excited to deliver another spectacular show ahead of the biggest game of the season,” AFL spokesman Jay Allen said.
“We will be in a position to make an announcement on this year’s Telstra pre-game entertainment shortly.”