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.

 

[pOleK]

Still a few available at $220 and some at $550. Brutal for those that didn’t get tickets in the members sale. Who knows it could be a case of winning makes top 4, loser misses the eight. Brisbane really needs a bigger stadium…

And it will get one, just 7 years away. Beginning to fear we may be getting close to WA levels of price hikes if we remain competitive

 

[Sammoll]

The crowd for Gold Coast vs GWS will be interesting. Important game in the scheme of finals but a very early timeslot and an opponent with very little away support. This matchup got 14.6k back in 2012 but just 7.6k last time they played at Carrara back in 2019 (*not counting 2020). Been a long time since that last comparable match between these two clubs at this ground though and I think the Suns have grown a fair bit since then, so a good test for them.

 

[pOleK]

The crowd for Gold Coast vs GWS will be interesting. Important game in the scheme of finals but a very early timeslot and an opponent with very little away support. This matchup got 14.6k back in 2012 but just 7.6k last time they played at Carrara back in 2019 (*not counting 2020). Been a long time since that last comparable match between these two clubs at this ground though and I think the Suns have grown a fair bit since then, so a good test for them.

If it weren’t for the abysmal 12:35pm kickoff, I actually reckon this game would have the potential to outdraw the Richmond match. Momentum building towards an inaugural finals campaign with a high chance to make an impact. The two sides also buy in and market the “expansion cup” pretty well on their respective socials. Sleeper crowd potentially

 

[kranger]

Potential Fyfe last game in WA, weather, transport permitting should hit 50k and get season home attendance over
500,000

Going into round 12 2022, Brisbane and Freo were 2nd and 3rd on the ladder, and drew 47,214 to Perth Stadium to be the largest crowd between the two teams.

Hopefully this crowd is beaten on Friday.

 

[dave10]

Even the Blues fans have called it quits for the year now…

 

[Purple Suit]

Going into round 12 2022, Brisbane and Freo were 2nd and 3rd on the ladder, and drew 47,214 to Perth Stadium to be the largest crowd between the two teams.

Hopefully this crowd is beaten on Friday.

We will smash that. Weather looks good and they have moved the start time to 6:35pm which makes it easier. I predict 53-55k.

 

[Sammoll]

Even the Blues fans have called it quits for the year now…
View attachment 2393988

Yep, last week’s crowd was our first under 25k since 2018 (excluding covid years of course). And I wouldn’t expect this week to be much better. Maybe the more family friendly timeslot can help?

It’s a shame to end the season like this. Excluding Gather Round, Carlton currently averages 51,599 at home games for the year. Unless we somehow draw 34,015 this week, the average will drop to below 50k for the season.

 

[dave10]

Yep, last week’s crowd was our first under 25k since 2018 (excluding covid years of course). And I wouldn’t expect this week to be much better. Maybe the more family friendly timeslot can help?

It’s a shame to end the season like this. Excluding Gather Round, Carlton currently averages 51,599 at home games for the year. Unless we somehow draw 34,015 this week, the average will drop to below 50k for the season.

Last home game of season and cheap prices encouraging the family to go. I’d say it draws 32-34k in the perfect slot.

 

[____]

Going into round 12 2022, Brisbane and Freo were 2nd and 3rd on the ladder, and drew 47,214 to Perth Stadium to be the largest crowd between the two teams.

Hopefully this crowd is beaten on Friday.

This will smash it. Winter 2022 was still somewhat COVID affected with compulsory masks on public transport and iso if you tested positive.

 

[Hawkk]

Last home game of season and cheap prices encouraging the family to go. I’d say it draws 32-34k in the perfect slot.

Easily. The last home game of the season always outdraws expectations

 

[Billy ray]

We will smash that. Weather looks good and they have moved the start time to 6:35pm which makes it easier. I predict 53-55k.

if they have power to move it for reasons, just move it to 7:10pm already

 

[Underarm]

if they have power to move it for reasons, just move it to 7:10pm already

They're not going to finish a game at 11:50+ in Brisbane.

 

[Canberra Pear]

North being North and GWS coming off an 88 point belting, I’d call 11,753 an absolutely fantastic crowd. Very impressed.

I had a friend who rocked up at half time and he couldn't get a GA ticket. He said the cheapest available was $74.

Definitely a better crowd than I'd anticipated. Good thing as well, as Dillon came up for the game.

 

[Hawkk]

Saturday should be 55k minimum at the G. I’d be expecting a massive hawthorn roll up for the last home game at the G in a timeslot that doesn’t prohibit families from attending.

Hope so. But the weather won’t help. Would be nice to get it over 50,000 to break a 51 year record (albeit 10 games and not a single game)

Footy Flashbacks: Hawks eye consecutive wins against Melbourne

Plus, how last week's win over Collingwood made history and how Luke Breust and Jack Gunston keep breaking records.

www.hawthornfc.com.au

This Saturday, Hawthorn has the opportunity to achieve an attendance above 50,000 at every MCG game in a home and away season for the first time since 1964. It will be significantly different to 1964, as then there was just one MCG game compared to 10 in 2025. In Round 6 1964 a crowd of 53,798 saw the Hawks lose to Melbourne by five points.

Last Thursday night’s crowd of 68,515 against Collingwood was the sixth 60,000-plus attendance at a Hawthorn game this year, setting a new club record for a home and away season. The previous record of five had been recorded on six occasions (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2024).

A reminder that Melbourne’s mid 1960s crowds were unbelievably good. 53,788 in 1964 is roughly equivalent to about 135,000 based on 2025 population. They had three bigger crowds that season too…

 

[____]

I had a friend who rocked up at half time and he couldn't get a GA ticket. He said the cheapest available was $74.

Definitely a better crowd than I'd anticipated. Good thing as well, as Dillon came up for the game.

Imagine if Canberra had a bigger stadium and their own team...

 

[ep12]

Imagine if Canberra had a bigger stadium and their own team...

Canberra works because they get 3 games a year there and it is a special event to go and see the footy. There is no evidence to suggest that there is demand for 11 games a season, plus it is not an AFL heartland state.

 

[Bjo187]

Canberra works because they get 3 games a year there and it is a special event to go and see the footy. There is no evidence to suggest that there is demand for 11 games a season, plus it is not an AFL heartland state.

The stats were done a few years ago, AFL is still more popular than nrl and rugby in Canberra surprisingly, but less popular if you combine the two rugby codes.

So they'd be starting with a good market of fans already, plus have good growth potential by attracting new converts with their own side. Basically like gold coast, but starting off on a stronger afl base. It's the ideal expansion market for that reason and would allow the giants to focus more on western sydney which they should be.

 

[Canberra Pear]

Canberra works because they get 3 games a year there and it is a special event to go and see the footy. There is no evidence to suggest that there is demand for 11 games a season, plus it is not an AFL heartland state.

Best comparison we have is the Gold Coast, who were getting three games a year before they got a team.

And jumping from 3 to 11 games a year, their average crowds actually went up. They had only four years of hosting an interstate team, but their crowds jumped 52% in the first four years actually having their own.

Because an interstate team is a novelty, a special event, but you generate real support for a team of your own.

For comparison, Canberra's past four (non-Covid) seasons, Canberra's crowds have been about 14% higher than Carrara's pre-Suns crowds. We've also had a decent chunk of sell outs in that time, so it could've been higher if capacity allowed.

So if the Suns is an accurate comparison, Canberra could average 17-18k in the first four seasons.

 

[Hawkk]

Best comparison we have is the Gold Coast, who were getting three games a year before they got a team.

And jumping from 3 to 11 games a year, their average crowds actually went up. They had only four years of hosting an interstate team, but their crowds jumped 52% in the first four years actually having their own.

Because an interstate team is a novelty, a special event, but you generate real support for a team of your own.

For comparison, Canberra's past four (non-Covid) seasons, Canberra's crowds have been about 14% higher than Carrara's pre-Suns crowds. We've also had a decent chunk of sell outs in that time, so it could've been higher if capacity allowed.

So if the Suns is an accurate comparison, Canberra could average 17-18k in the first four seasons.

Canberra is also a good comparison as both the Gold Coast and ACT (appear) to attract more travelling fans than Western Sydney. Not sure if that’s because more fans are in those markets or if it’s because it’s a better travel destination. It could be good business for the AFL and its airline partner…

 

[Canberra Pear]

Canberra is also a good comparison as both the Gold Coast and ACT (appear) to attract more travelling fans than Western Sydney. Not sure if that’s because more fans are in those markets or if it’s because it’s a better travel destination. It could be good business for the AFL and its airline partner…

I can't say for sure, but I would say the appearance of travelling fans in Canberra is boosted by the fact we have so many people in Canberra actually supporting opposition teams. North had a healthy away contingent, but I would guess a decent chunk of them would've been Canberran North supporters. Gold Coast would definitely get a lot of travelling fans, but I'd say they'd be in a similar boat with a lot of Victorians moving up and bringing their team with them.

But I went to the war memorial the weekend Port was here and there were quite a few in Port merch, so there's definitely a few flying in for Canberra games. Canberra's a pretty family-friendly trip for a weekend.

I've actually seen Murrays busses in a few broadcasts at Marvel. Murrays is actually a Canberra company. Canberra is the closest interstate road trip for Melbournians (7 hours) and three hours from Sydney. Could make sense for a Murrays sponsorship.

 

[____]

Canberra works because they get 3 games a year there and it is a special event to go and see the footy. There is no evidence to suggest that there is demand for 11 games a season, plus it is not an AFL heartland state.

I've been to Canberra and seen AFL get big screen treatment over NRL at pubs there. That's enough evidence for me that it would work there.

 

[manicmagpie]

Decent looking crowd here at Princes Park.

 

[Rabman]

8,042. Pretty respectable.

 

[Canberra Pear]

8,042. Pretty respectable.

If the TVs in my suburb during my dog walk are any indicator, the ratings should be strong too.

 

[kranger]

Only 1,453 for the Eagles opening game vs Gold Coast.