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Veteran AFL umpire Shane McInerney has announced he will retire after a record 502nd match of his decorated 26-year career.

Record-breaking AFL umpire Shane McInerney will hang up his whistle at the end of the season.

McInerney broke the VFL/AFL record for most games umpired, set by current AFL umpires' coach Hayden Kennedy, when he officiated his 496th match in round 16 this year.

But after 26 seasons, McInerney, whose career began at Princes Park in 1994, has informed the AFL that Saturday's clash between Geelong and Carlton at GMHBA Stadium will be his 502nd and final match.

"Shane's contribution to the game and to the AFL umpiring community over the past 25 years has been outstanding and on behalf of the AFL and the AFL umpires, I would like to thank Shane for his dedication," AFL umpires chief Grant Williams said.

"Currently officiating his 26th season of AFL, his record-breaking career and consistency across the years is a testament to his commitment to the game.

"Shane has worked extremely hard and dedicated a great deal of his time to the umpiring community and that is something we are very grateful for.

"A strong leader and ambassador for umpiring across all levels of the game, Shane will be greatly missed among the umpires and we wish him and his family all the best in the future."

McInerney has officiated in 26 finals, including the 2004 and 2007 grand finals won by Port Adelaide and Geelong respectively, and overseen two international rules series.