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]

Ironically the weather throughout the actual game was a perfect winter afternoon. If people knew that was going to happen they wouldn’t have stayed away.

Similar last night as well.

 

[ep12]

Yeah looked like Melbourne supporters didn't really show up in great number. Was a good dump of snow at Buller this weekend I hear.

God forbid 78k is a bad number and 30k of us is a bad effort. Wouldn’t be throwing stones if I were you.

 

[ep12]

Ironically the weather throughout the actual game was a perfect winter afternoon. If people knew that was going to happen they wouldn’t have stayed away.

Similar last night as well.

Massive downpour in the south east this morning wouldn’t have helped

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Melbourne's turnout was fine. They were well represented.

I just think the weather forecast deterred a few from attending.

 

[Cmarsh]

Gotta think Hawthorn vs Adelaide would have been a good crowd at the MCG this Friday night.

Alas its being played at a reduced capacity UTAS stadium.

 

[Hawkk]

Gotta think Hawthorn vs Adelaide would have been a good crowd at the MCG this Friday night.

Alas its being played at a reduced capacity UTAS stadium.

Definitely. The best for that fixture was 45,781 back in 2016 which would have been broken. I think it’s no coincidence the AFL scheduled this on a Friday Night in the middle of winter. Not only will it impact travellers but if there is any issue with the light towers (like earlier this year) it will put enormous pressure on policymakers to agree to the new stadium.

Any mishap on Friday would be gold for the AFL and Devils…

 

[Hawkk]

Melbourne's turnout was fine. They were well represented.

I just think the weather forecast deterred a few from attending.

Crazy that any sub 75,000 to 80,000 attendance would be considered disappointing. It wasn’t long ago that a crowd in that range would be top 3-5 for the season…

 

[gopies1981]

Melbourne's turnout was fine. They were well represented.

I just think the weather forecast deterred a few from attending.

I go to quite a few Melbourne games due to my brother being a Melbourne supporter and there turnout of pretty much on par as the home game crowds at the mcg around 25,000. Collingwood would have had around 50,000 of their own fans. 77,000 is a fantastic crowd considering the freezing conditions

 

[ep12]

Crazy that any sub 75,000 to 80,000 attendance would be considered disappointing. It wasn’t long ago that a crowd in that range would be top 3-5 for the season…

Imo these so called sell outs need to be fixed. There were heaps of empty seats everywhere:

• level 4 in the Ponsford which are Collingwood reserved areas (infuriating because it’s their away game)
• Top of the MCC because the game is category 1
• All throughout the MCC because people are double dipping
• The front of Q5 and Q6 which never went on sale and were not used
• Melbourne member areas (but there is not much you can do there. They were probably 75% full)

It almost seems like sellouts are now down to 78-84k for the most part. 2 years ago that was 83-88k and we all complained and it’s gone further down now.

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

After Round 13 (excluding Gather Round).

HOME CROWDS
Club (# of home games played) = Total (Average)

• Collingwood (6) = 471,301 (78,550)
• Carlton (5) = 286,035 (57,207)
• Hawthorn (5) = 241,421 (48,284)
• West Coast (6) = 273,253 (45,542)
• Essendon (5) = 227,091 (45,418)
• Fremantle (5) = 226,667 (45,333)
• Richmond (6) = 266,061 (44,344)
• Adelaide (6) = 257,807 (42,968)
• Melbourne (8) = 317,974 (39,747)
• Western Bulldogs (6) = 235,749 (39,292)
• Geelong (6) = 234,975 (39,163)
• Port Adelaide (5) = 195,172 (39,034)
• Sydney (6) = 225,466 (37,578)
• St Kilda (6) = 207,399 (34,567)
• Brisbane Lions (6) = 183,306 (30,551)
• North Melbourne (6) = 167,685 (27,948)
• Gold Coast (5) = 68,125 (13,625)
• GWS (6) = 67,580 (11,263)

HOME AND AWAY CROWDS
Club (# of games played) = Total (Average)

• Collingwood (12) = 769,398 (64,117)
• Carlton (11) = 645,294 (58,663)
• Essendon (11) = 593,937 (53,994)
• Hawthorn (12) = 615,308 (51,276)
• Richmond (12) = 564,327 (47,027)
• Adelaide (12) = 529,797 (44,150)
• Geelong (12) = 527,785 (43,982)
• Melbourne (12) = 449,603 (37,467)
• Sydney (12) = 443,508 (36,959)
• West Coast (12) = 420,446 (35,037)
• Western Bulldogs (11) = 376,825 (34,257)
• Port Adelaide (11) = 374,532 (34,048)
• North Melbourne (11) = 373,105 (33,919)
• Fremantle (11) = 370,894 (33,718)
• St Kilda (11) = 369,677 (33,607)
• Brisbane Lions (12) = 398,926 (33,244)
• Gold Coast (11) = 234,186 (21,290)
• GWS (12) = 249,076 (20,756)

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Imo these so called sell outs need to be fixed. There were heaps of empty seats everywhere:

• level 4 in the Ponsford which are Collingwood reserved areas (infuriating because it’s their away game)

My away reserved seat is in Level 4 of the Ponny following the new MCC deal. I previously had a Level 1 seat.

Had a generous friend who sits on Level 1 who advised me that there were gaps at ground level, so I moved down at quarter time.

I agree with the structural issues you raised, but the gaps are largely down to reserved seat holders not showing up for whatever reason. At Collingwood, we've attempted to redress this somewhat with a seat return program. Not sure if Melbourne has anything similar.

Seat Return Program

membership.collingwoodfc.com.au

 

[Underarm]

Not hard to imagine why people with reserved seats, or who booked them in February might have changed their mind with the forecast during the week.

 

[ep12]

Not hard to imagine why people with reserved seats, or who booked them in February might have changed their mind with the forecast during the week.

I just can’t see how someone who spends $100 for a level 1 or $60 got a level 4 reserved seat doesn’t show up

 

[budge27]

After Round 13 (excluding Gather Round).

HOME CROWDS
Club (# of home games played) = Total (Average)

• Collingwood (6) = 471,301 (78,550)
• Carlton (5) = 286,035 (57,207)
• Hawthorn (5) = 241,421 (48,284)
• West Coast (6) = 273,253 (45,542)
• Essendon (5) = 227,091 (45,418)
• Fremantle (5) = 226,667 (45,333)
• Richmond (6) = 266,061 (44,344)
• Adelaide (6) = 257,807 (42,968)
• Melbourne (8) = 317,974 (39,747)
• Western Bulldogs (6) = 235,749 (39,292)
• Geelong (6) = 234,975 (39,163)
• Port Adelaide (5) = 195,172 (39,034)
• Sydney (6) = 225,466 (37,578)
• St Kilda (6) = 207,399 (34,567)
• Brisbane Lions (6) = 183,306 (30,551)
• North Melbourne (6) = 167,685 (27,948)
• Gold Coast (5) = 68,125 (13,625)
• GWS (6) = 67,580 (11,263)

HOME AND AWAY CROWDS
Club (# of games played) = Total (Average)

• Collingwood (12) = 769,398 (64,117)
• Carlton (11) = 645,294 (58,663)
• Essendon (11) = 593,937 (53,994)
• Hawthorn (12) = 615,308 (51,276)
• Richmond (12) = 564,327 (47,027)
• Adelaide (12) = 529,797 (44,150)
• Geelong (12) = 527,785 (43,982)
• Melbourne (12) = 449,603 (37,467)
• Sydney (12) = 443,508 (36,959)
• West Coast (12) = 420,446 (35,037)
• Western Bulldogs (11) = 376,825 (34,257)
• Port Adelaide (11) = 374,532 (34,048)
• North Melbourne (11) = 373,105 (33,919)
• Fremantle (11) = 370,894 (33,718)
• St Kilda (11) = 369,677 (33,607)
• Brisbane Lions (12) = 398,926 (33,244)
• Gold Coast (11) = 234,186 (21,290)
• GWS (12) = 249,076 (20,756)

Has any AFL club ever had a home ave over 78,000 this far thru the season? With a few home games at Marvel coming up this ave will continue to drop. But at the moment the Pies home ave crowd is up there with NFL teams and the big European soccer clubs.

 

[gopies1981]

Imo these so called sell outs need to be fixed. There were heaps of empty seats everywhere:

• level 4 in the Ponsford which are Collingwood reserved areas (infuriating because it’s their away game)
• Top of the MCC because the game is category 1
• All throughout the MCC because people are double dipping
• The front of Q5 and Q6 which never went on sale and were not used
• Melbourne member areas (but there is not much you can do there. They were probably 75% full)

It almost seems like sellouts are now down to 78-84k for the most part. 2 years ago that was 83-88k and we all complained and it’s gone further down now.

I agree but how do you fix it? No doubt the weather turned away about 5,000 people from going to the blues v bombers and dees v pies matches. Problem is all clubs have so many reserve seat holders that just don’t turn up. The only games where I would say that 90% of members showed up were Anzac Day (92k) and Easter Monday (88k) the others can be blamed on 5,000 home club members that did not turn up!!

 

[ep12]

I agree but how do you fix it? No doubt the weather turned away about 5,000 people from going to the blues v bombers and dees v pies matches. Problem is all clubs have so many reserve seat holders that just don’t turn up. The only games where I would say that 90% of members showed up were Anzac Day (92k) and Easter Monday (88k) the others can be blamed on 5,000 home club members that did not turn up!!

We only have 10,000 reserved seats, there were not 5,000 empty ones.

The issue is compounded when the away side also has a large amount of unused reserved seats.
It’s not just Collingwood though. I believe Essendon have Q7-Q15 rows A-P as away reserved areas and they were 20% full on Sunday night. I think Carlton also has those same bags for their away games at the G but I could be wrong there.

 

[dave10]

My away reserved seat is in Level 4 of the Ponny following the new MCC deal. I previously had a Level 1 seat.

Had a generous friend who sits on Level 1 who advised me that there were gaps at ground level, so I moved down at quarter time.

I agree with the structural issues you raised, but the gaps are largely down to reserved seat holders not showing up for whatever reason. At Collingwood, we've attempted to redress this somewhat with a seat return program. Not sure if Melbourne has anything similar.

Seat Return Program

membership.collingwoodfc.com.au

The issue of club reserved seats are a big issue. I have 2 x level 2 seats in the Warne Stand (and Marvel) that I haven’t used for any Essendon home match this year.

My away reserved seat is in Level 4 of the Ponny following the new MCC deal. I previously had a Level 1 seat.

Had a generous friend who sits on Level 1 who advised me that there were gaps at ground level, so I moved down at quarter time.

I agree with the structural issues you raised, but the gaps are largely down to reserved seat holders not showing up for whatever reason. At Collingwood, we've attempted to redress this somewhat with a seat return program. Not sure if Melbourne has anything similar.

Seat Return Program

membership.collingwoodfc.com.au

Essendon have that system but unfortunately clubs only have limited success in reselling them. I think for memory, a few years ago I was told Essendon only resold 4-500 reserved seats to its sold out Marvel games. As an example, if Essendon has 16,000 reserved seats members and only about 8-9,000 turn up to any home game, then reselling 4-500 of these doesn’t move the dial enough.

Solution is, do away with reserved seats as much as possible and replace these with ‘reserved seating bays’ that members need to opt in for by mid week. Any unsold seating in reserved bays then put to market by Thursday…

 

[gopies1981]

The issue of club reserved seats are a big issue. I have 2 x level 2 seats in the Warne Stand (and Marvel) that I haven’t used for any Essendon home match this year.

Essendon have that system but unfortunately clubs only have limited success in reselling them. I think for memory, a few years ago I was told Essendon only resold 4-500 reserved seats to its sold out Marvel games. As an example, if Essendon has 16,000 reserved seats members and only about 8-9,000 turn up to any home game, then reselling 4-500 of these doesn’t move the dial enough.

Solution is, do away with reserved seats as much as possible and replace these with ‘reserved seating bays’ that members need to opt in for by mid week. Any unsold seating in reserved bays then put to market by Thursday…

I totally agree with this. Use this as reserve bay options. Clubs might need to reduce or at worst case freeze the cost of membership packages and it’s up to the individual to reserve a seat with no additional cost by 11:59pm on Wednesday. Any seats available by midnight Thursday will be taken by the public.

 

[Raz Man]

Another one of Sheedy's brainchild is on display this weekend. The Powercor Country Match, probably a fixture which has not taken off but crowd numbers has slowly increased each year. Good family friendly timeslot, good dry weather and a Bombers team which has youthful exuberance against the mighty start studded Cats. Hopefully it will be a good turnout.
I'd say 55,000 as an early guess

 

[ep12]

Another one of Sheedy's brainchild is on display this weekend. The Powercor Country Match, probably a fixture which has not taken off but crowd numbers has slowly increased each year. Good family friendly timeslot, good dry weather and a Bombers team which has youthful exuberance against the mighty start studded Cats. Hopefully it will be a good turnout.
I'd say 55,000 as an early guess

I think 60-65k. First bombers home game in three weeks and they have been admirable in defeat both times.
Cats fans can also hopefully travel up because it isn't a night game.

 

[dave10]

I think 60-65k. First bombers home game in three weeks and they have been admirable in defeat both times.
Cats fans can also hopefully travel up because it isn't a night game.

For Bombers it’s not ‘lid off’ type stuff but given fine weather and good slot it will still draw well. Ticket sales have been pretty decent for this so I’d say loosely 60,000 or thereabouts with potential to go slightly higher.

 

[Cmarsh]

Another one of Sheedy's brainchild is on display this weekend. The Powercor Country Match, probably a fixture which has not taken off but crowd numbers has slowly increased each year. Good family friendly timeslot, good dry weather and a Bombers team which has youthful exuberance against the mighty start studded Cats. Hopefully it will be a good turnout.
I'd say 55,000 as an early guess

I don't get what is so "country" about it?

 

[Raz Man]

For Bombers it’s not ‘lid off’ type stuff but given fine weather and good slot it will still draw well. Ticket sales have been pretty decent for this so I’d say loosely 60,000 or thereabouts with potential to go slightly higher.

AFL360 said MCC are expecting 70,000

 

[dave10]

AFL360 said MCC are expecting 70,000

I seriously doubt it will be that high, if it is it will be one of the better crowds of 2025.

 

[Raz Man]

I seriously doubt it will be that high, if it is it will be one of the better crowds of 2025.

Yeah that is way overs for mine. It would be the biggest crowd between Geelong and Essendon if it does I feel.