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.

 

[Bjo187]

Look I agree — but it didn’t stop them arguing the toss. They thought they had it made with Kate Jones on the commission and Steven Miles as a future commissioner. At the end of the day the AFL has bugger all sway in Queensland state politics. Until you’ve lived in Queensland for any length of time it’s really difficult to grasp how powerful rugby league and the NRL is in Brisbane. The Broncos Chairman is the former Vice President of the Liberal Party and is one of LNP government’s biggest donors (if not the biggest). Rugby league rules the roost (especially with an LNP government) so the best hope the AFL has is sliding in behind Cricket.

This is a strange take, considering it was former Labor politicians and NRL commissioners Kate Jones and Peter Beattie who convinced Miles not to build a new stadium. They didn’t want the AFL getting a leg up — and in the process, they secured a Suncorp upgrade for the NRL.

Then the Liberals came in, appointed Tony Cochrane to the Olympic committee, and backed a brand-new 63,000-seat stadium for the Lions — with Brisbane’s Liberal mayor Adrian Schrinner also pushing hard for it.

The reality is the NRL and Labor go hand in hand — in Brisbane, in NSW, and federally. Just look at Albo: $650 million promised for a PNG NRL team, and regular lunch catch-ups with Peter V’landys.

* also just on the tv ratings, don't ask me where I saw it a couple of weeks ago, but the tv ratings for the lions and suns in qld had grown around 12% from memory this year, this was on Foxtel and kayo.

 

[hampton]

Then the Liberals came in, appointed Tony Cochrane to the Olympic committee, and backed a brand-new 63,000-seat stadium for the Lions — with Brisbane’s Liberal mayor Adrian Schrinner also pushing hard for it.

You mean for the Olympics. The lions happen to be a beneficiary.

 

[Hawkk]

This is a strange take, considering it was former Labor politicians and NRL commissioners Kate Jones and Peter Beattie who convinced Miles not to build a new stadium. They didn’t want the AFL getting a leg up — and in the process, they secured a Suncorp upgrade for the NRL.

That’s correct — what I meant is that by and large the state based LNP (which is really a National Party) is far more regional vs Labor. Most of the regions where the LNP have seats (save the Gold Coast, Noosa and Cairns) despise the game. Those are the places that pump up State of Origin and think the world is against Queensland.

As a result, LNP state governments by and large are less supportive of the AFL than Labor governments (see Covid hubs). The BCC is a bit different because Schrinner’s team act as a silo from the state party (but that’s for another thread).

Then the Liberals came in, appointed Tony Cochrane to the Olympic committee, and backed a brand-new 63,000-seat stadium for the Lions — with Brisbane’s Liberal mayor Adrian Schrinner also pushing hard for it.

Yep — as above. We definitely dodged a bullet with that. Thankfully cricket really pushed that through and the AFL came in behind it (Queenslanders have a really weird thing about the first test match which they see as the equal of Boxing Day and the New Years test).

The reality is the NRL and Labor go hand in hand — in Brisbane, in NSW, and federally. Just look at Albo: $650 million promised for a PNG NRL team, and regular lunch catch-ups with Peter V’landys.

Have a look at the AFL commission and the majority of club boards. Labor governments are incredible business for the AFL and the clubs. My team had to punt its president and get a former deputy premier Labor premier on its board to get the money for Dingley.

The huge injections into Queensland football (think Gabba redevelopments, Carrara and the Covid bubbles) all came during Labor governments. Ironically Beatie was the premier that oversaw the full Gabba redevelopment.

* also just on the tv ratings, don't ask me where I saw it a couple of weeks ago, but the tv ratings for the lions and suns in qld had grown around 12% from memory this year, this was on Foxtel and kayo.

I was not aware of that. It’s a good step in the right direction.

So long as News owns the Broncos and Brisbane only has one paper and a couple of radio stations it’s going to be tough to get critical mass. It’s a bit like the Bears in Perth going up against Kerry Stocks and Sevenwest media. Lachlan Murdoch still has a personal stake in that asset.

 

[Walshawk]

This is a strange take, considering it was former Labor politicians and NRL commissioners Kate Jones and Peter Beattie who convinced Miles not to build a new stadium. They didn’t want the AFL getting a leg up — and in the process, they secured a Suncorp upgrade for the NRL.

Then the Liberals came in, appointed Tony Cochrane to the Olympic committee, and backed a brand-new 63,000-seat stadium for the Lions — with Brisbane’s Liberal mayor Adrian Schrinner also pushing hard for it.

The reality is the NRL and Labor go hand in hand — in Brisbane, in NSW, and federally. Just look at Albo: $650 million promised for a PNG NRL team, and regular lunch catch-ups with Peter V’landys.

* also just on the tv ratings, don't ask me where I saw it a couple of weeks ago, but the tv ratings for the lions and suns in qld had grown around 12% from memory this year, this was on Foxtel and kayo.

AFL on Kayo overall is up by more than 12% (as more people shift from FTA), so that on its own means little. Ch7 is down so Need to look at total ratings.

 

[Hawkk]

According to Sunrise, about 10,000 Hawks fans will be at the game (I find that hard to believe). Adelaide must be buzzing though.

 

[Rouel_14]

A bit to digest there.

It’s pretty simple to realise that if you build it like Perth with a raised level 1 seating bowl I bet you any money Origin will be there from year one.

No way vlandys will settle for 50K at Suncorp when he can have 65K at new state of the art stadium.

Broncos could take 1-2 big clashes a year there and sell out. A Socceroos or Matilda’s game every now and then. 1-2 full house concerts each year. Then maybe an EPL preseason game or Two. Then you have cricket ashes l, India and BBL. It will be full a lot more often than just the footy.

Marvel is on the top 5 highest revenue stadiums in the world and sure AFL helps but it’s not the only reason..

Brisbane just needs to be clever with its seating layout and close top Bowl for games in rebuild period and make it viable to run with a 30K average too.

 

[Billy ray]

what they need to do, as it will take 6 years to organise, is set up an India v Pakistan test to be held at the ground.

 

[ep12]

According to Sunrise, about 10,000 Hawks fans will be at the game (I find that hard to believe). Adelaide must be buzzing though.

Overs or unders for you?
I thought it may be a tad more than that.

 

[Hawkk]

Overs or unders for you?
I thought it may be a tad more than that.

Overs for sure. 10,000 is a truck load of people. It’d be more than went to the Giants game and that was in a much better slot (Saturday) and cheaper too.

 

[Hawkk]

A bit to digest there.

It’s pretty simple to realise that if you build it like Perth with a raised level 1 seating bowl I bet you any money Origin will be there from year one.

No way vlandys will settle for 50K at Suncorp when he can have 65K at new state of the art stadium.

Broncos could take 1-2 big clashes a year there and sell out. A Socceroos or Matilda’s game every now and then. 1-2 full house concerts each year. Then maybe an EPL preseason game or Two. Then you have cricket ashes l, India and BBL. It will be full a lot more often than just the footy.

Marvel is on the top 5 highest revenue stadiums in the world and sure AFL helps but it’s not the only reason..

Brisbane just needs to be clever with its seating layout and close top Bowl for games in rebuild period and make it viable to run with a 30K average too.

I reckon it would be difficult getting rugby league to leave Lang Park. It’s
the closest they have to an MCG — the spiritual home of the sport. That’s part of the reason why the game struggles to draw in Sydney — they hate Homebush and Alliance is Swans territory.

It’s a bit like Marvel and VFL Park vs the MCG.

 

[Bjo187]

AFL on Kayo overall is up by more than 12% (as more people shift from FTA), so that on its own means little. Ch7 is down so Need to look at total ratings.

It did say some of the strongest growth was in QLD though and in particular people viewing lions and suns games there. Each state would have different levels of growth. There was really not much need for the growth to be the same in nsw and qld anyway, because they weren't locked out to the same degree as the other states, so you wouldn't have expected the same bump in viewership. It's probably why nsw isn't mentioned and might be down if anything.

 

[GenericUsername202]

A bit to digest there.

It’s pretty simple to realise that if you build it like Perth with a raised level 1 seating bowl I bet you any money Origin will be there from year one.

No way vlandys will settle for 50K at Suncorp when he can have 65K at new state of the art stadium.

Broncos could take 1-2 big clashes a year there and sell out. A Socceroos or Matilda’s game every now and then. 1-2 full house concerts each year. Then maybe an EPL preseason game or Two. Then you have cricket ashes l, India and BBL. It will be full a lot more often than just the footy.

Marvel is on the top 5 highest revenue stadiums in the world and sure AFL helps but it’s not the only reason..

Brisbane just needs to be clever with its seating layout and close top Bowl for games in rebuild period and make it viable to run with a 30K average too.

The moment you take the broncos away from Suncorp stadium, is the moment you devalue that stadium completely. Victoria park is simply for AFL and Cricket and there is simply no way the lions can share the stadium with an NRL team or the origin during the regular season given you have to account for turf conditions and transforming the stadium to accomodate their code. If Vlandys wants a 65k stadium, he can stuff it.

 

[GenericUsername202]

Overs for sure. 10,000 is a truck load of people. It’d be more than went to the Giants game and that was in a much better slot (Saturday) and cheaper too.

Anyone feel like 10k is too much for an opposition for a final? There is no way they would allow 10k hawthorn fans during the regular season game, so why should it be allowed for the finals? Adelaide earned the right for as home final, and they lose a bit of that advantage with 10k hawthorn supporters there.

 

[hampton]

The moment you take the broncos away from Suncorp stadium, is the moment you devalue that stadium completely. Victoria park is simply for AFL and Cricket and there is simply no way the lions can share the stadium with an NRL team or the origin during the regular season given you have to account for turf conditions and transforming the stadium to accomodate their code. If Vlandys wants a 65k stadium, he can stuff it.

Although I doubt NRL would want to play many or any games at the oval, the stadium is not a 'Brisbane Lions' stadium and if other sports wish to play there they will.

 

[GenericUsername202]

Although I doubt NRL would want to play many or any games at the oval, the stadium is not a 'Brisbane Lions' stadium and if other sports wish to play there they will.

Nothing wrong with other codes playing there, but AFL and Cricket comes first. This is a stadium built for these two codes, and if the NRL wishes to hold any events here, it has to come with the assurance that it wouldn't effect the lions at all. The same will go for summer, when a sporting code or an event wants to hold itself there. It wouldn't be able to clash with the cricket at all.

 

[hampton]

Nothing wrong with other codes playing there, but AFL and Cricket comes first. This is a stadium built for these two codes, and if the NRL wishes to hold any events here, it has to come with the assurance that it wouldn't effect the lions at all. The same will go for summer, when a sporting code or an event wants to hold itself there. It wouldn't be able to clash with the cricket at all.

I don't think that would be a big issue around scheduling for a total of 11 Brisbane Lion games a year for winter sports using the venue as well.

 

[hampton]

I am sure the government will be trying to maximise usage of this stadium as much as possible.

 

[Walshawk]

Anyone feel like 10k is too much for an opposition for a final? There is no way they would allow 10k hawthorn fans during the regular season game, so why should it be allowed for the finals? Adelaide earned the right for as home final, and they lose a bit of that advantage with 10k hawthorn supporters there.

Definitely not.
Travelling for a finals is one of those magic footy experiences. Each team should have equal access to tickets. Finals were always neutral until the AFL added interstate teams. As they are in all suburban footy leagues. The advantage comes from not having to travel, not the crowd, which can affect umpiring decisions.

 

[Hawkk]

Anyone feel like 10k is too much for an opposition for a final? There is no way they would allow 10k hawthorn fans during the regular season game, so why should it be allowed for the finals? Adelaide earned the right for as home final, and they lose a bit of that advantage with 10k hawthorn supporters there.

The FA Cup has a 15 percent capacity cap for non Wembley ties. I wonder if the AFL would ever do that for non MCG finals?

Definitely not.
Travelling for a finals is one of those magic footy experiences. Each team should have equal access to tickets. Finals were always neutral until the AFL added interstate teams. As they are in all suburban footy leagues. The advantage comes from not having to travel, not the crowd, which can affect umpiring decisions.

A bit different when you’ve got the Gabba, People’s First, the SCG, Engie and the Adelaide Oval now though.

A 15 percent capacity is still 8,000 to 10,000 at the Adelaide Oval and Optus and 5,000 to 6,000 at the SCG though. What I’d like to see is the AFL put all the visiting fans at one end for atmosphere.

 

[Bjo187]

hampton I see the storm haven't yet sold out tonight's final against the biggest club from Sydney in the bulldogs. And there's not even any AFL on in Melbourne this weekend, every category still looks available. Are you on league unlimited deriding them like you were the giants on here last week or conveniently giving them a free pass?

 

[GenericUsername202]

hampton I see the storm haven't yet sold out tonight's final against the biggest club from Sydney in the bulldogs. And there's not even any AFL on in Melbourne this weekend, every category still looks available. Are you on league unlimited deriding them like you were the giants on here last week or conveniently giving them a free pass?

The minnows at league unlimited think Melbourne storm gets better ratings than the Swans do in Sydney or the Lions do in Brisbane. Delusional idiots over there.

 

[hampton]

hampton I see the storm haven't yet sold out tonight's final against the biggest club from Sydney in the bulldogs. And there's not even any AFL on in Melbourne this weekend, every category still looks available. Are you on league unlimited deriding them like you were the giants on here last week or conveniently giving them a free pass?

Just like the giants game it’s disappointing Storm can’t sell this out as they’ve sold out numerous home and away games this year (unlike the giants), but it’s not unexpected. It’s not the same situation as giants, it’s not an elimination final, they’ll be playing in Melbourne again next week or two, and there is an afl finals game on at the same time so any of the more casual fans that follow both sports might want to watch that instead. Historically when Storm are up against an afl final in week 1 crowds drop.

Also making this a Friday night game makes it much harder for bulldogs fans to travel to.

Their next final game whether next week or preliminary final will certainly sell out.

 

[Walshawk]

hampton I see the storm haven't yet sold out tonight's final against the biggest club from Sydney in the bulldogs. And there's not even any AFL on in Melbourne this weekend, every category still looks available. Are you on league unlimited deriding them like you were the giants on here last week or conveniently giving them a free pass?

There is AFL in TV. That’s enough to keep the non hardcore fans at home in front of the TV. Storm crowds are around 20% if no clash with AFL finals.

 

[hampton]

The minnows at league unlimited think Melbourne storm gets better ratings than the Swans do in Sydney or the Lions do in Brisbane. Delusional idiots over there.

They rate similarly. Sometimes Storm rates better sometimes Swans do.

There is AFL in TV. That’s enough to keep the non hardcore fans at home in front of the TV. Storm crowds are around 20% if no clash with AFL finals.

Yes definitely impacts the more casual fans, especially when Storm form has been shaky and they will for sure be playing a finals game again in the next fortnight to save for that one.

 

[Rouel_14]

I reckon it would be difficult getting rugby league to leave Lang Park. It’s
the closest they have to an MCG — the spiritual home of the sport. That’s part of the reason why the game struggles to draw in Sydney — they hate Homebush and Alliance is Swans territory.

It’s a bit like Marvel and VFL Park vs the MCG.

The moment you take the broncos away from Suncorp stadium, is the moment you devalue that stadium completely. Victoria park is simply for AFL and Cricket and there is simply no way the lions can share the stadium with an NRL team or the origin during the regular season given you have to account for turf conditions and transforming the stadium to accomodate their code. If Vlandys wants a 65k stadium, he can stuff it.

1. Vlandy’s doesn’t give a shit about tradition.
He’s about the showtime and a brand new state of the art stadium with an extra 15K - is showtime.

2. I’m not saying Broncos would play every game there, but it be dam appealing for a magic round or a one off show piece. Dogs and saints play a home game at the G.

3. Even storm are looking at a one off game at the G.

Between AFL, NRL, BBL, Socceroos, Matilda’s, Concerts i can see it being full 15 odd times a year. The key is making it profitable for 20K crowds and not needing 40K to just break even.