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Snoop Dogg AFL Grand Final – Setlist, Time and Controversy

Henry Ethan Thompson Taylor • 2026-04-01 • Reviewed by Sofia Lindberg

Snoop Dogg delivered the pre-match entertainment at the 2024 AFL Grand Final, bringing West Coast hip-hop to the Melbourne Cricket Ground ahead of the Geelong versus Brisbane Lions decider. The 53-year-old rapper entered the stadium with a marching band, performing a five-song set that included collaborations with Australian singer Jessica Mauboy despite earlier controversy surrounding his booking.

The performance marked another chapter in the AFL’s shift toward high-profile international acts for its showcase event, following recent appearances by Katy Perry, KISS, and Robbie Williams. While initial announcements sparked debate about the fit between hip-hop culture and Australian rules football’s traditional fanbase, the execution drew largely positive reactions from attendees.

Coverage from 7NEWS confirmed the setlist and production details, though specific scheduling timings remain undisclosed in official reporting.

Did Snoop Dogg Perform at the 2024 AFL Grand Final?

Snoop Dogg took the stage at the MCG on Grand Final Saturday, confirming weeks of speculation and promotional build-up. The appearance represented the league’s continued investment in global entertainment acts to headline its premier sporting occasion.

Event: 2024 AFL Grand Final (28 Sep, MCG)
Performer: Snoop Dogg (pre-match)
Matchup: Geelong Cats vs Brisbane Lions
Coverage: Channel 7 broadcast
  • Snoop Dogg, 53, commanded the MCG stage with a marching band entrance
  • Five-song setlist ranged from “The Next Episode” to “Gin and Juice”
  • Australian vocalist Jessica Mauboy joined for a duet on “Beautiful”
  • Performance overcame pre-event controversy regarding historical lyrics
  • Marked continuation of international headliner trend (Katy Perry 2024, KISS 2023, Robbie Williams 2022)
  • Drew positive reception from majority of AFL fans despite initial skepticism
  • Occurred during pre-match entertainment window on Saturday afternoon
Date September 28, 2024
Venue Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Performer Age 53 years old
Teams Geelong vs Brisbane Lions
Segment Pre-match entertainment
Entrance Marching band accompaniment
Opening Song “The Next Episode”
Collaboration “Beautiful” featuring Jessica Mauboy
Closing Song “Gin and Juice”
Precedent Follows Katy Perry (2024), KISS (2023), Robbie Williams (2022)
Controversy Lyric content concerns raised by Adelaide Crows
Outcome Positive fan reception

What Time and Schedule for Snoop Dogg’s AFL Grand Final Performance?

Pre-Match Timing

The performance occurred during the pre-match entertainment schedule on Grand Final Saturday at the MCG. Available reporting from 7NEWS does not specify exact commencement times, though such appearances typically precede the national anthem and team presentations.

Broadcast Coverage

Channel 7 broadcast the event, with footage available through 7NEWS coverage post-event. The performance formed part of the broader Grand Final day programming, though specific streaming platform details for international audiences remain unclear in source materials.

Scheduling Uncertainty

No official schedule specified exact commencement times for the pre-match set in available sources. The performance occurred during the standard pre-match entertainment window.

What Songs and Collaborations Featured at Snoop Dogg’s AFL Grand Final Show?

The Complete Setlist

Snoop Dogg delivered a career-spanning set opening with “The Next Episode” before transitioning into “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot.” The performance concluded with “Gin and Juice,” covering material from his Death Row Records era through to later commercial hits.

Jessica Mauboy Partnership

Australian R&B vocalist Jessica Mauboy joined Snoop Dogg on stage for a collaborative performance of “Beautiful.” This marked the only guest appearance during the set, combining Mauboy’s vocals with Snoop Dogg’s rap verses. No other collaborators or AFL players participated in the musical segment.

Why Did Snoop Dogg Headline the AFL Grand Final?

The AFL’s selection of Snoop Dogg reflected a deliberate strategy to expand the Grand Final’s cultural footprint beyond traditional rock and pop demographics. The booking aligned with recent precedents set by Katy Perry’s 2024 appearance, KISS in 2023, and Robbie Williams in 2022, demonstrating the league’s commitment to securing globally recognized entertainment acts.

However, the announcement coincided with broader industry discussions about appropriate conduct in Australian football, specifically following Adelaide Crows player Izak Rankine’s ban for using a homophobic slur. Critics noted that Snoop Dogg’s historical lyrics contained similar content, prompting questions about consistency in the AFL’s stance on inclusive language.

Content Controversy

The booking faced backlash amid contextual sensitivity surrounding Rankine’s ban, with critics citing Snoop Dogg’s past lyrics containing homophobic content. The Adelaide Crows reportedly raised these concerns directly with the AFL.

Official Response

AFL executive Dillon responded to concerns by stating: “We cannot vouch for every lyric in every song ever written or performed by any artist who has or will appear on our stage, Australian or international.”

Despite initial skepticism regarding hip-hop’s compatibility with AFL’s traditional supporter base, the colorful, high-energy production ultimately won over most attendees, generating positive social media reception and broadcast engagement.

When Did the Snoop Dogg AFL Grand Final Events Unfold?

  1. Announcement Period: The AFL confirmed Snoop Dogg as the pre-match headliner for the 2024 Grand Final, sparking immediate social media reaction.
  2. Controversy Emergence: Questions arose regarding the appropriateness of the booking given concurrent disciplinary actions against AFL players for homophobic language.
  3. Grand Final Saturday: Snoop Dogg arrived at the MCG accompanied by a marching band, preparing for the pre-match slot.
  4. Performance Execution: The rapper delivered the five-song set with Jessica Mauboy collaboration during the Geelong versus Brisbane preliminary entertainment.
  5. Post-Event Reaction: Crowd footage and 7NEWS coverage indicated successful reception despite earlier doubts.

What Is Confirmed About Snoop Dogg’s AFL Appearance?

Established Information Unclear Details
Performance occurred at MCG on September 28, 2024 Exact commencement time
Geelong vs Brisbane Lions matchup Specific streaming platform availability
Five-song setlist confirmed Announcement date specifics
Jessica Mauboy collaboration on “Beautiful” Rehearsal schedule details
Marching band entrance International broadcast rights
AFL executive Dillon’s statement on lyrics Set duration in minutes

How Does Snoop Dogg’s Performance Fit the AFL Entertainment Evolution?

The AFL’s Grand Final entertainment has progressively shifted from local Australian acts toward major international headliners capable of generating global media attention. Snoop Dogg’s appearance continued this trajectory, following the 2024 booking of Katy Perry (as referenced in league trends), 2023’s KISS performance, and Robbie Williams’ 2022 show.

This evolution reflects the league’s attempt to position the Grand Final as a cosmopolitan cultural event rather than purely a domestic sporting fixture. The inclusion of hip-hop, while initially controversial among traditionalists, aligns with broader demographic shifts in Australian popular culture and the AFL’s efforts to engage younger, more diverse audiences.

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What Did Officials Say About the Snoop Dogg Booking?

We cannot vouch for every lyric in every song ever written or performed by any artist who has or will appear on our stage, Australian or international.

— AFL Executive Dillon, via 7NEWS

What Defined Snoop Dogg’s 2024 AFL Grand Final Appearance?

Snoop Dogg’s headline performance at the 2024 AFL Grand Final represented a convergence of international entertainment and Australian sporting culture, delivering a marching band-accompanied set featuring “The Next Episode,” “Gin and Juice,” and a Jessica Mauboy collaboration. Despite pre-event controversy regarding lyrical content and the suitability of hip-hop for AFL’s traditional audience, the 53-year-old rapper’s colorful production ultimately generated positive reception from MCG attendees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Snoop Dogg perform with any AFL players?

No. Snoop Dogg did not share the stage with AFL players during his set. The only collaborator was Australian singer Jessica Mauboy, who performed “Beautiful” alongside the rapper.

Was Snoop Dogg’s AFL Grand Final performance live streamed?

The performance was broadcast on Channel 7 as part of the Grand Final coverage. Specific streaming platform details for international or online-only audiences remain unclear in available sources.

How long was Snoop Dogg’s AFL Grand Final set?

The exact duration was not specified in official reports. The set consisted of five songs including “The Next Episode,” “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang,” “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” “Beautiful,” and “Gin and Juice.”

Why did Snoop Dogg’s AFL booking generate controversy?

Critics cited Snoop Dogg’s past lyrics containing homophobic content, raising questions about consistency given concurrent AFL disciplinary actions against players for similar language.

Which teams played during Snoop Dogg’s AFL Grand Final performance?

The match featured Geelong Cats versus Brisbane Lions. The Sydney Swans did not participate in this Grand Final.

When did the AFL confirm Snoop Dogg’s booking?

The specific announcement date was not detailed in available source materials, though the confirmation preceded the September 28 Grand Final by several weeks.

What is the Melbourne Cricket Ground capacity?

The MCG typically accommodates approximately 100,000 spectators for AFL Grand Final events, though exact attendance figures for the 2024 match were not specified in the provided research.

Henry Ethan Thompson Taylor

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Henry Ethan Thompson Taylor

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