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.

 

[AstuteTiger]

18,423 the crowd tonight, not great but about expected.

Reckon those who attended had a great time.

I predicted 20K, but geez it looked in the early to mid 20's with top level open. In the end, it probably was unders.

But I guess some underlying reasons. Easter weekend, Sat night, probably the worst timeslot, along with Thursday night.
Playing at a ground our supporters dont like. We haven't won at the ground since 2019, so it was good to get the win over the undefeated Suns.

With both the Dees and Tigers winning today, both sets of supporters will come out in big numbers for Anzac Day Eve.
I'll say 70K+

 

[smasha]

Literally no reason if we are honest other than those who go no matter what. Those crowds are always the loudest and most fun.

Smallish crowds for Dees and Tigers games but I went and the crowd was very loud.
Very fun night.
I'm sure the Dees faithful were revved up also after a terrific win against Freo.
Now we may get a nice crowd for the Anzac Eve game!

 

[Raz Man]

Smallish crowds for Dees and Tigers games but I went and the crowd was very loud.
Very fun night.
I'm sure the Dees faithful were revved up also after a terrific win against Freo.
Now we may get a nice crowd for the Anzac Eve game!

These smallish crowds are always fun bc the people who attend are the real die hards and their voice seems to be louder than the casual fans. They have more of an emotional connection to the club too.
Essendon v Port was like that too!

 

[dave10]

These smallish crowds are always fun bc the people who attend are the real die hards and their voice seems to be louder than the casual fans. They have more of an emotional connection to the club too.
Essendon v Port was like that too!

Other thing is usually small crowds are the result of a crappy team (not not going well) and underdog status comes with this. So when the underdog turns up to play, and wins, the small crowd is also up for the upset and spurs the underdog home. That was the case last night as a case in point.

 

[____]

One thing which may help a touch is that is is not on free to air

I don't understand this at all. Any Richmond fan that obsessed that you're going to the least appealing matchup (GC Marvel on easter) has the money to buy Kayo.

Some people will always watch their team either at the game or at a pub, so not bother getting Kayo. There's also people who boycotted paying for Fox/Kayo on principle when it was owned by Murdoch.

The only thing embarrassing is this crowd mate. You would even get more on the Gold Coast.

I actually reckon they would considering their 4-0 start. If they bounce back and keep winning regularly they will start selling out games regularly.

These smallish crowds are always fun bc the people who attend are the real die hards and their voice seems to be louder than the casual fans. They have more of an emotional connection to the club too.
Essendon v Port was like that too!

Other thing is usually small crowds are the result of a crappy team (not not going well) and underdog status comes with this. So when the underdog turns up to play, and wins, the small crowd is also up for the upset and spurs the underdog home. That was the case last night as a case in point.

A part of me misses that 2011-2018 era when only the proper Lions fans turned out to the Gabba, no crappy goal music, proper atmosphere and honestly that 2012 game against the Eagles was the loudest I've heard the Gabba even though there was from memory 15k there.

 

[Billy ray]

Hooray. A home game on the gold coast coming up

 

[Cmarsh]

Hooray. A home game on the gold coast coming up

Today will be the first home game at the scg the Swans have had since March 15 (round 1).

 

[GenericUsername202]

Some people will always watch their team either at the game or at a pub, so not bother getting Kayo. There's also people who boycotted paying for Fox/Kayo on principle when it was owned by Murdoch.

I actually reckon they would considering their 4-0 start. If they bounce back and keep winning regularly they will start selling out games regularly.


A part of me misses that 2011-2018 era when only the proper Lions fans turned out to the Gabba, no crappy goal music, proper atmosphere and honestly that 2012 game against the Eagles was the loudest I've heard the Gabba even though there was from memory 15k there.

Hearing 30k sing country roads can't be topped though.

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda = 35,511

 

[BallaratBulldog]

I think worth persisting with the timeslot. Dogs weren’t in the best w/L form. Hopefully rated decent

 

[Hawkk]

Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda = 35,511

That’s a seriously good crowd for the worst timeslot of the year. Another game, another larger than expected crowd.

The largest between these clubs since round 2, 2016 is an outstanding result for Easter Sunday. The last three drew 26,710 (Thursday), 33,294 and 25,981 (Friday).

This probably draws 30,000 for a regular round game in past seasons (maybe mid 20,000’s on Easter Sunday), but in 2025, it’s 35,500.

Literally the only disappointing crowd in Melbourne all year was last night. Every other crowd is up on past years

 

[ep12]

That’s a seriously good crowd for the worst timeslot of the year. Another game, another larger than expected crowd.

The largest between these clubs since round 2, 2016 is an outstanding result for Easter Sunday. The last three drew 26,710 (Thursday), 33,294 and 25,981 (Friday).

This probably draws 30,000 for a regular round game in past seasons (maybe mid 20,000’s on Easter Sunday), but in 2025, it’s 35,500.

Literally the only disappointing crowd in Melbourne all year was last night. Every other crowd is up on past years

Sorry but it is not the worst timeslot of the year.

Understand that it is Easter Sunday but it is a night game before a public holiday which still allows people who celebrate to celebrate and then go to the football.

It may not be as good as kings birthday eve is on the sunday but it is still going to draw more than the average dogs saints crowds would have.

 

[Hawkk]

Sorry but it is not the worst timeslot of the year.

Understand that it is Easter Sunday but it is a night game before a public holiday which still allows people who celebrate to celebrate and then go to the football.

It may not be as good as kings birthday eve is on the sunday but it is still going to draw more than the average dogs saints crowds would have.

Easter Sunday (and Mother’s Day) is the worst time slot of the year - look at past crowds. The night game was a success and here is why. Like the Dogs crowds against North (34,406) and the Saints crowds against Geelong (36,667) and the Tigers (41,447) the game drew overs from past years.

On top of that, this game outdrew a Friday Night between the clubs (when both were in identical positions on the ladder) by 10,000 in 2023.

 

[The_Wookie]

 

[The_Wookie]

 

[Air_Chester]

Easter Sunday (and Mother’s Day) is the worst time slot of the year - look at past crowds.

Easter Sunday daytime, yes. But the night game eliminates the issue of family gatherings and adds the public holiday boost.

I went tonight, and it was a really great crowd and atmosphere, I was very impressed. They’ve got a winner with that timeslot (one of the last they have open). Here’s hoping the Dogs and Saints make the most of it next year.

 

[ep12]

Easter Sunday (and Mother’s Day) is the worst time slot of the year - look at past crowds. The night game was a success and here is why. Like the Dogs crowds against North (34,406) and the Saints crowds against Geelong (36,667) and the Tigers (41,447) the game drew overs from past years.

On top of that, this game outdrew a Friday Night between the clubs (when both were in identical positions on the ladder) by 10,000 in 2023.

Nope, Sunday night means people still have their day to celebrate and then go to the football.
Mother’s Day games are terrible because they are during the day same as the usual Easter Sunday day games.
The night game is a brilliant idea.

 

[Hawkk]

Nope, Sunday night means people still have their day to celebrate and then go to the football.
Mother’s Day games are terrible because they are during the day same as the usual Easter Sunday day games.
The night game is a brilliant idea.

Agreed - all I’m saying is that it was a great crowd. The average attendance at Marvel this year is 32,281 - take out the Richmond game and its almost 34,000. That's without Collingwood (hands down the biggest club in Victoria) yet to play at the stadium (who average 39,973 at Marvel)

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Geelong vs Hawthorn = 88,746

Record H&A crowd for Geelong.

 

[dave10]

Geelong vs Hawthorn = 88,746

Record H&A crowd for Geelong.

Amazing crowd

 

[The_Wookie]

 

[Hawkk]

Whats that, Geelong 12-3 in these fixtures. I'm all for a rotating fixture at this point

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Geelong's highest home crowds

• 1). 2025 vs Hawthorn = 88,746
• 2). 2024 vs Carlton = 87,775
• 3). 1989 vs Essendon = 87,653
• 4). 2023 vs Collingwood = 86,595
• 5). 2007 vs Collingwood = 85,497
• 6). 2013 vs Hawthorn = 85,197
• 7). 2010 vs Collingwood = 84,401
• 8). 2011 vs Collingwood = 81,691
• 9). 2014 vs Hawthorn = 80,222
• 10). 2016 vs Hawthorn = 74,218

Geelong's highest H&A crowds:

• 1). 2025 vs Hawthorn (H) = 88,746
• 2). 2010 vs Collingwood (A) = 88,115
• 3). 2024 vs Carlton (H) = 87,775
• 4). 1989 vs Essendon (H) = 87,653
• 5). 2023 vs Collingwood (H) = 86,595
• 6). 2008 vs Hawthorn (A) = 86,179
• 7). 2011 vs Collingwood (A) = 85,705
• 8). 2007 vs Collingwood (H) = 85,497
• 9). 2013 vs Hawthorn (H) = 85,197
• 10). 2010 vs Collingwood (H) = 84,401

Easter Monday crowds:

• 1). Geelong vs Hawthorn (2025) = 88,746
• 2). Geelong vs Hawthorn (2014) = 80,222
• 3). Hawthorn vs Geelong (2011) = 78,579 (Easter Tuesday)
• 4). Hawthorn vs Geelong (2013) = 76,300
• 5). Geelong vs Hawthorn (2016) = 74,218
• 6). Hawthorn vs Geelong (2015) = 73,584
• 7). Geelong vs Hawthorn (2018) = 73,189
• 8). Geelong vs Hawthorn (2012) = 69,231
• 9). Hawthorn vs Geelong (2010) = 68,628
• 10). Hawthorn vs Geelong (2024) = 67,020
• 11). Hawthorn vs Geelong (2019) = 66,347
• 12). Geelong vs Hawthorn (2023) = 65,335
• 13). Hawthorn vs Geelong (2017) = 62,360
• 14). Geelong vs Hawthorn (2021) = 50,030
• 15). Hawthorn vs Geelong (2022) = 48,030

 

[BuffDog]

Geelong’s new record may only last for two weeks. Huge clash v Pies in Round 8

 

[Sammoll]

Fantastic round for crowds, besides the Richmond game but i’m hoping they make up for it and turn out in big numbers for the Anzac eve game.

A few really big games coming next couple of weeks too.