2025 Attendances

[The_Wookie]

11.12.2024

Gather Round tickets snapped up in record time


The AFL is pleased to announce that more than 195,000 Gather Round…Festival of Footy tickets have sold… with five of the nine games sold out, 20,000 more than this time last year.

Member on sale on Tuesday saw a significant uplift in demand for tickets this year, selling more than 100,000 tickets in the first four hours, in comparison to the same amount in 24 hours last year.

This year there are an extra 47,000 tickets on offer for fans with the two Saturday matches being ticketed separately.

Tickets still remain for Collingwood vs Sydney Swans on Friday night, Carlton vs West Coast on Saturday afternoon, Melbourne vs Essendon on Saturday night and a very limited number of restricted view tickets and tickets for the Pepsi Collective for Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn on Sunday evening.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said it was clear Gather Round momentum was not slowly down.

“The demand for tickets this year was significantly higher than the first two Gather Rounds, with more than 195,000 tickets being purchased in the first two days,” said Mr Dillon.

“A ticket to the matches at the Barossa Park was always going to be one of the hottest tickets in town and the fans have certainly illustrated that by selling out both matches so quickly.”

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said: “Gather Round continues to exceed all expectations.

“We are honoured that so many footy fans from around the country are making the commitment to travel to our beautiful state to experience this event like no other.

“They’ll be truly welcome.

“If you haven’t got a ticket already – get in quick!”

Tickets for the remaining matches can be found here.

 

[manicmagpie]

One of the best crowds I can remember given the conditions.

Believe that would be a new record for Collingwood vs Adelaide for a H&A season game?

Yes, and therefore not surprisingly a record H & A crowd overall for Adelaide.

 

[GenericUsername202]

huge crowd at the gws game

 

[pOleK]

huge crowd at the gws game

In fairness, Freo probably 1, is one of the least desirable fixtures to go to, and 2, brings nearly zero away support in Western Sydney.

Think it just hammers home the underlying issue of the Giants being away from home for nearly 2 months and being unable to capitalise on any early season momentum

 

[Ross]

Believe that would be a new record for Collingwood vs Adelaide for a H&A season game?

Adelaide's three highest ever H&A crowds have all been against the Pies at the MCG in the last three seasons, this one topping the list.

 

[pOleK]

Looking further into the Giants fixture their absence from Western Sydney is actually insane.

• 28 days between OR and round 4
• 41 days between round 4 and 10
• 22 days between round 12 and 15
• 30 days potentially between round 20 and 23.

How on earth do you expect people in Western Sydney to build an attachment to a team that’s only in Western Sydney part time???

 

[parano1a]

Collingwood vs Adelaide = 67,697

This goes to show there is still a big interest in Saturday afternoon games, attendance wise. There would have been 70k+ today in sunny conditions. Unfortunately the TV ratings are lower meaning the timeslot doesn't usually get marquee games anymore.

 

[parano1a]

How on earth do you expect people in Western Sydney to build an attachment to a team that’s only in Western Sydney part time???

What is the answer then? Stop playing games at Canberra and build another stadium in Parramatta?

 

[Cmarsh]

What is the answer then? Stop playing games at Canberra and build another stadium in Parramatta?

Yes.

 

[Giant YoYo]

Looking further into the Giants fixture their absence from Western Sydney is actually insane.

• 28 days between OR and around 4
• 41 days between round 4 and 10
• 22 days between round 12 and 15
• 30 days potentially between round 20 and 23.

How on earth do you expect people in Western Sydney to build an attachment to a team that’s only in Western Sydney part time???

The last three years I've been attending the first game just after the Easter show is also seemingly the lowest attended of the season.

2023, 2024 the first game back was the lowest and not sure where today's game will land but to say I'm not disappointed would be a complete an utter understatement.

I'm all aboard that the extended break is absolutely a momentum killer.

 

[pOleK]

What is the answer then? Stop playing games at Canberra and build another stadium in Parramatta?

At the very least, the sooner Canberra gets their own team and the Giants can no longer depend on them the better.

Firstly, I’d have one of the smaller Melbourne teams take up the contract in Canberra then you can host the Swans and Giants there annually plus one other club rotating for the third game.

Secondly, for the duration of the Easter Show, I think the Giants need to try and make a marquee match at Olympic and try and capitalise on the foot traffic that comes with the holiday period. Engie is quite literally next door. Potentially bring the Swans in and make a Sydney double header and make it worth your while. Experiment with it, and show you’re committed to the region.

If the Giants desperately still need to sell games, firstly limit it to 2 maximum, and secondly try and keep it as local to Sydney as feasibly possible.

Finally, the AFL fixture team have to ensure that there are no obscenely long absences. Ruins attendance culture and takes away any presence the Giants have the region. They have to show they’re committed to the area at the very least and can’t half arse as they like to with most things

 

[Fletched]

The solution is obvious, canberra is created as the 20th team

Giants play all their games in sydney

 

[dave10]

This goes to show there is still a big interest in Saturday afternoon games, attendance wise. There would have been 70k+ today in sunny conditions. Unfortunately the TV ratings are lower meaning the timeslot doesn't usually get marquee games anymore.

Saturday / Sunday early afternoons are the best slots for crowds, all things equal I think.

 

[pOleK]

The last three years I've been attending the first game just after the Easter show is also seemingly the lowest attended of the season.

2023, 2024 the first game back was the lowest and not sure where today's game will land but to say I'm not disappointed would be a complete an utter understatement.

I'm all aboard that the extended break is absolutely a momentum killer.

Lived in Penrith for work over 23-24. Went to about half a dozen Giants games and played footy in the region. The base does exist.

On field they’ve remained competitive for nearly a decade now, but that can only get you so far when you spend so long away and come across as half committed to your fan base. It’s a nice stadium to watch the footy at and with the introduction of the metro west rail project it’ll be easier to get to in future.

 

[GenericUsername202]

If Gold Coast had the same success that GWS has had in the past, they would be selling out their games weekly. Even if GWS won the flag, they would still play in half empty stadiums. And the problem isn't the lack of interest in NSW for AFL. There's plenty, there's just a lack of interest in GWS because they're far too close to Sydney geographically, and the swans are a lot more appealing to sydney siders than the giants. Not to mention their name is downright stupid. Greater western sydney isn't a place, it's just a geographical zone. The only way the Giants will be successful is if you moved them to canberra, or south sydney. Their current location and name is the reason why they have failed to create a sustainable fanbase.

 

[pOleK]

If Gold Coast had the same success that GWS has had in the past, they would be selling out their games weekly. Even if GWS won the flag, they would still play in half empty stadiums. And the problem isn't the lack of interest in NSW for AFL. There's plenty, there's just a lack of interest in GWS because they're far too close to Sydney geographically, and the swans are a lot more appealing to sydney siders than the giants. Not to mention their name is downright stupid. Greater western sydney isn't a place, it's just a geographical zone. The only way the Giants will be successful is if you moved them to canberra, or south sydney. Their current location and name is the reason why they have failed to create a sustainable fanbase.

Agree and disagree on your points.

Gold Coast is in a different situation as 1, the Gold Coast already had a rich enough history associated with Aussie Rules. Think the initial stint of the Bears, Southport, Surfers Demons, Labrador. Not to mention the growing powerhouse youth factory that is Palm Beach Currumbin. Compare this to Western Sydney where AFL is practically non-existent. The Giants are literally trying to carve a footprint from ground zero.

And 2, the number of expats from down south manages to bring much more away support in comparison to the Western Sydney suburbs. This in turn manages to keep Suns crowds consistently above the 10k floor comfortably in comparison to the Giants.

I do agree on the awful GWS moniker. Trying to appeal to too many results in appealing to none. Should’ve started and still should change it a much simpler name in Western Sydney.

Hard disagree with the relocation to Canberra. Sydney is just too big a city to not have more than 1 team representing it. Is there still a long way to go? Absolutely. But the Giants can’t expect growth by continuing on their current trajectory

 

[pOleK]

After that performance, I can see a few tarp worthy attendances for Port in the coming months

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Port Adelaide vs Geelong = 35,508

 

[Raz Man]

After this performance, I can sense the Bomber fans won’t be turning up..

 

[Hawkk]

This goes to show there is still a big interest in Saturday afternoon games, attendance wise. There would have been 70k+ today in sunny conditions. Unfortunately the TV ratings are lower meaning the timeslot doesn't usually get marquee games anymore.

To be honest it’s a little surprising that the AFL would schedule Collingwood v Adelaide (two of the biggest clubs) in the least valuable TV slot. They’ve done it a few times in recent years — this would be a perfect Saturday Night exclusive on Fox. That’s a perfect game to drive subscriptions to Fox and Kayo (ditto Collingwood v West Coast).

 

[ep12]

After this performance, I can sense the Bomber fans won’t be turning up..

You’ll be 5-4 it’s not that bad lol. Come support my mob

 

[pOleK]

You’ll be 5-4 it’s not that bad lol. Come support my mob

It’s the hope that kills you I reckon. Least the Dees have something of recent celebrate

 

[Fletched]

47266 at marvel

 

[BallaratBulldog]

50,000 is hard to hit

Honestly the Dogs do need to play more at the G. let alone when Bombers home game, they should just play at the G.

 

[Air_Chester]

47266 at marvel

Great crowd. Not sure why everyone was worried. Same as last year, Dogs home game, GA scan in, advance tickets not really an issue.

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

47266 at marvel

Very good crowd. Dogs 10th biggest home crowd in their history.