2026 Attendances

[PonsfordMagpie]

Starting a new thread to discuss 2026 attendances.

State of Origin will kick things off tomorrow.

 

[RodneyMaynard]

58,141 announced on the broadcast. Strong turnout

 

[kranger]

 

[Cmarsh]

58,141 announced on the broadcast. Strong turnout

The concept has had life breathed back into it.

The challenge now for the AFL is to come up with a sustainable model that maintains fan and player interest and doesn't squeeze the lemon too hard.

 

[Fambam84]

Excellent crowd, proves there's appetite for SoO which is great to see. I have no doubt Adelaide Oval would sell out in minutes if SA were to host the Vics there next year.

 

[Cmarsh]

Excellent crowd, proves there's appetite for SoO which is great to see. I have no doubt Adelaide Oval would sell out in minutes if SA were to host the Vics there next year.

AO ground availability might clash with cricket if held in February though.

 

[Fambam84]

AO ground availability might clash with cricket if held in February though.

I'm sure they'll strike an agreement with the SACA to play the remaining domestic cricket fixtures at Karen Rolton Oval.

 

[Rob]

AO ground availability might clash with cricket if held in February though.

What cricket? Shield? Im sure that can be moved for the 50 people that go.

Might need the SA government to cough up though.

 

[kalex6251]

The concept has had life breathed back into it.

The challenge now for the AFL is to come up with a sustainable model that maintains fan and player interest and doesn't squeeze the lemon too hard.

expect this will get panned [and fair enough too - not a fan of origin so have at it] .... but in the interests of devising a workable model ...........

• year 1 ....... Vic v Allies (comprising players from all states bar Victoria)
• year 2 ....... West Aus v Allies (West Aus players excluded)
• year 3 ....... South Aus v Allies (South Aus players yadda yadda yadda)

repeat cycle

could even implement a division 2 (or whatever you want to call it) involving Qld, NSW, Tassie - games to run at same time

okay ...... rip it a new one

 

[Walshawk]

Opening Round:-
Swans v Blues - 66 tix left Predict 42k
Lions v Dogs - 1k left 36k
Suns v Cats - 1k left 23k
Giants v Hawks - heaps left, have not opened all sections 16k
Saints v Pies tracking for around 80k will be biggest Saints home crowd ever.

Gather Round all games on track to sell out except Dees v Bombers.

 

[Cmarsh]

Opening Round:-
Swans v Blues - 66 tix left Predict 42k
Lions v Dogs - 1k left 36k
Suns v Cats - 1k left 23k
Giants v Hawks - heaps left, have not opened all sections 16k
Saints v Pies tracking for around 80k will be biggest Saints home crowd ever.

Gather Round all games on track to sell out except Dees v Bombers.

It will probably still just be about full come game day, but the decision to go with one of the lower supported clubs in the Dogs rather than a big 4 club to go to the Gabba for opening round was an interesting if not puzzling choice by the AFL.

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Almost a certainty this will be St Kilda's biggest home crowd in history.

 

[Underarm]

It will probably still just be about full come game day, but the decision to go with one of the lower supported clubs in the Dogs rather than a big 4 club to go to the Gabba for opening round was an interesting if not puzzling choice by the AFL.

1. They want to share around the away sides. No clubs want to be playing away travelling games every single year.

2. Opening game + flag unfurling should be enough to sell the game out. Leave the big drawing opposition for later in the year.

The Giants/Hawks game was a bit ambitious though, but still will be higher than it usually would have got.

 

[Angus Young]

Almost a certainty this will be St Kilda's biggest home crowd in history.

Massive.

 

[dave10]

Early days I know but Essendon Vs Hawthirn is selling very well. I think it’s going significantly better than last year three weeks out. Basically sold out of ground level of Ponsford now, I assume they will open Q level in Ponsford pretty soon.

MCC members have only just started selling so it’s early days.

Last year drew 80,735 for comparison. This could realistically draw 85,000.

 

[Raz Man]

Early days I know but Essendon Vs Hawthirn is selling very well. I think it’s going significantly better than last year three weeks out. Basically sold out of ground level of Ponsford now, I assume they will open Q level in Ponsford pretty soon.

MCC members have only just started selling so it’s early days.

Last year drew 80,735 for comparison. This could realistically draw 85,000.

I saw a post on a Hawks Twitter account saying there are expecting 92,000! If true...woweee! Oh and Hello All, for another year of discussing all things crowdssss!