Australians who hosted guests, visited a friend’s home or watched at a pub or bar reported spending approximately $189 on average per grand final viewing occasion, as households continued to contend with elevated living costs.
The findings come as new Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose 3.2% over the year to September, adding further pressure to household budgets.
The Compare the Market survey of 1,010 Australian adults found average outlay among those who spent money for the grand finals ranged from $128 among people watching the AFL grand final at home alone or with family to $290 among those hosting AFL guests.
- People who stocked up to host guests at home for the AFL grand final reported spending an average of $290, with a median of $100.
- Respondents who watched the NRL grand final at a friend’s home reported a raw average spend of $274, although the median was lower at $95.
- People watching at a pub or bar reported average spending of $146 for the AFL grand final and $209 for the NRL grand final.
Average and median spending by grand final viewing arrangement
| League | Viewing arrangement | Average spend | Median spend |
| AFL | Hosted guests at home | $290 | $100 |
| AFL | Watched at a bar | $146 | $100 |
| AFL | Attended a friend’s home | $170 | $80 |
| AFL | Watched at home alone/with family | $128 | $50 |
| NRL | Attended a friend’s home | $274 | $95 |
| NRL | Watched at a bar | $209 | $100 |
| NRL | Hosted guests at home | $130 | $100 |
| NRL | Watched at home alone/with family | $161 | $50 |
The results show that major sporting events can become substantial social expenses, particularly for people hosting guests, at a time when many households already report feeling pressure from the cost of living.
Hosts for the AFL Grand Final reported spending an average of $290 on their grand final viewing occasion, around $104 more than the $186.23 Australians reported spending on groceries in an average week. By comparison, people watching the AFL grand final at home alone, or with family, reported an average spend of $128 and a median of $50.
Average reported spending by league and age group
| Generation | NRL | AFL | Average |
| Gen Z (18-26 years) | $143 | $179 | $161 |
| Millennials (27-42 years) | $198 | $223 | $211 |
| Gen X (43-58 years) | $307 | $164 | $236 |
| Baby Boomers (59+) | $58 | $71 | $65 |
Compare the Market’s Chris Ford said: “This may not necessarily be a sign that Aussies have spare cash to splash but that we believe these important dates in the calendar as worthy of a splurge.
“With the pressures we’re facing elsewhere in the household budget, having a chance to switch off from that stress might be just the medicine we need. After all, sporting events like the Grand Finals are iconic days in the Australian sporting calendar.
“It could also be a sign that we’re clawing back that cash elsewhere, to avoid the financial hangover and enable that day off from budgeting.”
Methodology
Compare the Market commissioned PureProfile to survey 1,010 Australian adults aged 18+ for a nationally representative survey, conducted in October 2026.
