When To Book Flights for a Footy Trip for the Best Price
A simple guide for teams travelling in September, October and November
If your team travels in spring, you are already ahead of the pack. September, October and November give you warm weather and great nightlife. The trick is knowing when to book so you get the best value on flights without blowing the team budget.
This guide breaks down the smartest booking windows for footy trips across the most popular Mad Monday destinations: Cairns, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne.
Why timing your booking matters
Domestic flight prices move fast. They rise during school holidays, big sports weekends and late November school celebrations. They drop when demand softens. For group bookings, even a small change in price can be a big saving once you multiply it across ten or twenty players.
Your goal is simple.
Book early enough to secure stable prices, and avoid the obvious peak dates inside your travel months.
The Sweet Spot For Booking Your Footy Trip Flights
September trips
The cheapest time to book is as soon as fixtures are released and your team knows its travel window. Prices are usually calm in early and mid September unless your dates fall inside school holiday weeks. As long as you stay outside those holiday blocks, bookings made six to twelve weeks ahead usually give you the best value.
October trips
October is one of the best months for value. Spring weather is perfect and most cities avoid major price spikes during this time. The key is to book before demand ramps up for late October events. The ideal time to secure your flights is eight to fourteen weeks before departure. Mid week flights during these weeks also help keep costs down.
November trips
Early November can offer really good value. Mid and late November is where things heat up because of school celebrations on the Gold Coast and other tourist peaks. If your team wants to travel in November, the cheapest time to book is before the end of August. If you book in September or October you usually lock in the best prices before the rush.
Destination by destination spring insights
Cairns Footy Trip
Cairns is famous for reef days and pool sessions, which makes September and October ideal. Humidity stays low and crowds are lighter than winter. Prices tend to be stable if you book six to ten weeks ahead.
Best value inside your window: September and October
Booking tip: Book early if your dates fall near school holidays because demand jumps quickly.
Gold Coast Footy Trip
A classic footy trip favourite. September and October usually offer the best mix of warm beach weather and good value. Late November is the expensive period due to school celebrations.
Best value inside your window: September and October
Booking tip: Secure flights early for any November trip. You get far better prices before the rush begins.
Brisbane
Spring weather in Brisbane is perfect and prices are usually reasonable if you avoid long weekends and major events.
Best value inside your window: All three months can work
Booking tip: Mid week flights can cut prices. Book eight to twelve weeks out for the safest savings.
Adelaide Footy Trip
Adelaide is a dream for value in spring. Warm days, low humidity and plenty of nightlife without summer crowds.
Best value inside your window: Mid September to early November
Booking tip: Avoid flying on long weekends. Everything else is very friendly on price.
Melbourne Footy Trip
Melbourne is ruled by events. Grand Final weekend in late September and the Spring Racing Carnival in late October and early November push prices up.
Best value inside your window: Early October and mid to late November
Booking tip: If you want to travel during event weeks, prepare for higher prices. Otherwise choose the gaps between events for better value.
How to guarantee the best price for your team
Book as a group
Group bookings through Mad Monday secure your seats and keep your whole crew together. Airlines often give more flexibility with names and payment timing.
Choose Thursday flights
Thursday flights usually offer better value than Friday travel. Arrive a day early and party through the weekend for the smartest combo.
Avoid school holidays
This one rule saves more money than any other. If your dates fall outside school holidays during September or October, you win.
Lock in flights early
Spring is not a low demand season but it is predictable. Prices rise the longer you wait. Once your dates are locked, book immediately and protect the team budget.
Final word
If your team travels in September, October or November, you are in prime position to score great value on flights. The cheapest time to book is always earlier than you think, with the sweet spot sitting ten to fourteen weeks before you fly depending on the month.
Locking everything in early means more cash in the kitty for events, singlets, beers and the full Mad Monday experience.