Collingwood players and coach Nathan Buckley line up for the national anthem prior to the 2018 Grand Final

The AFL Grand Final will remain in a day timeslot this season.

The decision to commit to a day game was reached by the AFL commission during its first meeting of the year in Melbourne on Monday. 

The 2020 Grand Final – to be played Saturday, September 26 - will start at 2.30pm AEST, which has been the case in recent years.

AFL chief executive officer Gillon McLachlan has long advocated a personal preference to stick with tradition and keep the Grand Final away from a twilight or night slot.

It is believed McLachlan recommended to commissioners that tradition be maintained at today's meeting. 

AFL commission chairman Richard Goyder said: "The Toyota AFL Grand Final is the biggest event in the Australian sporting calendar, consistently attracting more than 100,000 fans to the MCG for the last Saturday in September.
 
"Our Grand Final showcases the best parts of our game, both on and off the field, and we look forward to another outstanding AFL season ahead of us.

"We will continue to ensure the event remains the benchmark for Australian sport."