Channel 7 will show Friday night’s preliminary final between Collingwood and Hawthorn at the MCG live into Melbourne.

The broadcast will commence at 7:30pm EST, with the first bounce set for 7:45pm.

“This is now looming as the most anticipated game of the year”, said Channel 7 Melbourne managing director Lewis Martin.

Close to 90,000 are expected to flock to the MCG, with the winner to take on either Geelong or West Coast in the Grand Final on October 1.

It will be the just the fourth final ever between the Magpies and the Hawks, and first between the two clubs since 1978.

The Magpies enjoyed a 41-point win last time these two sides met in round 15 earlier this year.

As of Monday evening, 34,500 tickets had been sold to Friday night's final. Ticketing information can be found here.

A full metro, regional and international television and radio broadcast guide will be published on collingwoodfc.com.au in coming days.