Preparing Your Airbnb for AFL Finals Season: A Melbourne Host's Photo and Listing Checklist
MCG, The home of AFL. Richmond in Melbourne Victoria.
September in Melbourne means one thing for short-stay hosts: a genuine spike in search volume as interstate and international visitors book their stays around AFL finals. It is one of the few weeks of the year where demand for well-located Melbourne properties climbs sharply and quickly, which also means the competition among listings gets sharper. A tired gallery or an outdated hero photo costs you more during a high-demand week than almost any other time of year.
Check Your Hero Photo First
Your hero photo is doing the most work of any single image in your listing, and it is the first thing worth reviewing before finals season traffic picks up. If it is more than two or three years old, if the styling in it no longer matches the current room, or if it was shot on a phone rather than with a professional camera and composition, that is the one thing to fix before anything else.
Refresh Any Seasonal Styling Details
You do not need a full restyle, but small, current touches, fresh linen, tidy surfaces, nothing visibly worn or out of place, matter more during a high-traffic search week because more eyes are landing on your listing at once. Guests comparing several properties in one sitting are quick to notice a gallery that feels neglected next to one that feels current.
Make Sure Your Common Areas Are Well Represented
Finals season guests are frequently booking as groups, often watching the game together before or after attending in person. Living areas, dining spaces, and any outdoor or balcony area where a group could realistically gather deserve strong, clear coverage. If your existing gallery under-represents these communal spaces in favour of bedroom shots alone, this is the week that gap costs you bookings.
Review Your Listing Title and Description Alongside Your Photos
Photography does the heavy lifting, but it works together with your title and description. If your property is walking distance to the MCG, Marvel Stadium, or well served by tram or train to either venue, make sure that is clear and easy to find, not buried at the bottom of a long description.
Practical Checklist Before Finals Week
● Review your hero photo and replace it if it is outdated or was shot on a phone
● Confirm your gallery includes strong coverage of any group living or outdoor space
● Refresh visible linen, cushions, and surfaces before any new photos or a walkthrough
● Check your listing title and first line of description mention proximity to major venues if relevant
● Book any photo refresh at least two to three weeks ahead, since this is a busy period for photographers across the city
Timing Matters
If your gallery genuinely needs a refresh before finals season, the biggest mistake is leaving it until the week itself. Melbourne photographers, myself included, get booked out quickly in the lead-up to finals, so a shoot booked with even two to three weeks notice gives you the best chance of having updated photos live before search traffic peaks.
Contact me now to lock in a shoot before finals season demand picks up.
