2026 Attendances

[Rouel_14]

Could be pretty tough to fit in 5 games at the MCG every weekend. And the turf might struggle a bit through winter, hey.

Well honestly.

In a league with probably the most inequitable fixture anywhere in the world, Letting clubs go and make their own stadium deals would bring back an element of fairness.

Geelong want 11 games in Geelong? Go for it.

Hawks think Launceston is financially viable? Go forth and prove it.

Essendon and Carlton want more games at the G? Convince the MCC to let them in.

Some club can somehow find $2 billion to build their own? - how cool.

 

[Teen Wolf]

Well honestly.

In a league with probably the most inequitable fixture anywhere in the world, Letting clubs go and make their own stadium deals would bring back an element of fairness.

Geelong want 11 games in Geelong? Go for it.

Hawks think Launceston is financially viable? Go forth and prove it.

Essendon and Carlton want more games at the G? Convince the MCC to let them in.

Some club can somehow find $2 billion to build their own? - how cool.

What is the AFL supposed to do when 9 clubs request to play most of their home games at the MCG?

Just gotta let them, apparently.

 

[Hawkk]

As much as I agree and think it’s the right call for the Devils and for the Hawks Melbourne members, god we gotta let clubs decide where they want to play.

This suggests the commission backs Hawthorn (and by extension potentially Carlton and Essendon) playing more games at the MCG.

Questions come for Hawthorn as club cries poor in Tassie fallout

‘I don’t know how they didn’t see this coming.’

7news.com.au

 

[MattF185]

The list below is my best guess without interrogating every match for milestones and/or special events I can't think of. I'll edit if I've missed something big.

However, I'm not sure the list should be taken that seriously as every time there's a huge crowd it's generally for big reasons.

For example, number 1 on the list is a game between Essendon and Carlton where Essendon was 19-0 and Carlton had lost once in their last 14 games. That's a never to be repeated set of circumstances that will always trump a public holiday that happens every year for mine. There'll be similar stories of rare and important circumstances behind most of the games listed below.

View attachment 2615592

Thanks for this great list. The one crowd that has always shocked me is the 1992 Round 19 Collingwood v Essendon match. It was only 2nd v 8th.

 

[manicmagpie]

Thanks for this great list. The one crowd that has always shocked me is the 1992 Round 19 Collingwood v Essendon match. It was only 2nd v 8th.

There's 3 crowds in a row between Collingwood and Essendon in 1992-3 that are all amazing (88k, 87k, 87k). The rivalry was hot at the time after the 1990 GF and it was a relative novelty to play each other at the MCG, plus one of them was Easter Monday.

But overall Collingwood's crowds in 1992 are crazy. It was the first time any club cracked 1 million for the H&A season, and was 20% higher than the previous season record.

There were some obvious reasons for this. It was the first year the now Shane Warne Stand was open, the first year of the AFL Members area at the G and the first year we moved some home games to the MCG.

But we did only play 6 games in total at the G, the same number as Victoria Park. Throw in a game at Princes Park, the old Cararra, and the SCG against a pre-Lockett Sydney and it still seems like a miracle to get to a million.

 

[What else we can do]

There's 3 crowds in a row between Collingwood and Essendon in 1992-3 that are all amazing (88k, 87k, 87k). The rivalry was hot at the time after the 1990 GF and it was a relative novelty to play each other at the MCG, plus one of them was Easter Monday.

But overall Collingwood's crowds in 1992 are crazy. It was the first time any club cracked 1 million for the H&A season, and was 20% higher than the previous season record.

There were some obvious reasons for this. It was the first year the now Shane Warne Stand was open, the first year of the AFL Members area at the G and the first year we moved some home games to the MCG.

But we did only play 6 games in total at the G, the same number as Victoria Park. Throw in a game at Princes Park, the old Cararra, and the SCG against a pre-Lockett Sydney and it still seems like a miracle to get to a million.

1992 was a great year for crowds, I wonder what our crowds would of been if we played St Kilda and the Bulldogs both times at the MCG. Princes Park were lockouts 50,000 for the Saints at Waverley and nearly 50,000 v Bulldogs in round 7.

This is a great list you compiled I take it more seriously than marquee, public holiday and milestone games as they artificially pump up crowd numbers.

 

[dave10]

1992 was a great year for crowds, I wonder what our crowds would of been if we played St Kilda and the Bulldogs both times at the MCG. Princes Park were lockouts 50,000 for the Saints at Waverley and nearly 50,000 v Bulldogs in round 7.

This is a great list you compiled I take it more seriously than marquee, public holiday and milestone games as they artificially pump up crowd numbers.

They don’t always pump up crowd numbers. For instance, this years ANZAC Day game would’ve been a total sellout whether it was ANZAC Day or not given it was seen as an even contest with high stakes (until the first bounce!!). There have been many of these marquee games that over the years would’ve likely still been at the top of the list whether or not it had marquee status. Any genuine mouthwatering game between the biggest clubs on a fine day likely still draw 85-90k or beyond.

 

[Underarm]

They don’t always pump up crowd numbers. For instance, this years ANZAC Day game would’ve been a total sellout whether it was ANZAC Day or not given it was seen as an even contest with high stakes (until the first bounce!!). There have been many of these marquee games that over the years would’ve likely still been at the top of the list whether or not it had marquee status. Any genuine mouthwatering game between the biggest clubs on a fine day likely still draw 85-90k or beyond.

Yes, but Anzac day was sold out months before we knew it was going to be a potentially good match up.

 

[dave10]

Yes, but Anzac day was sold out months before we knew it was going to be a potentially good match up.

True. Still would’ve been a lockout though (imo).

I was just using this one as an example. I’m sure over the last 20+ years there would’ve been countless examples of these types of encounters between top 8 sides, early in the year as is the case with marquee games, that would e closed the gates.

 

[What else we can do]

True. Still would’ve been a lockout though (imo).

I was just using this one as an example. I’m sure over the last 20+ years there would’ve been countless examples of these types of encounters between top 8 sides, early in the year as is the case with marquee games, that would e closed the gates.

If ANZAC round didn't exist you be lucky to get 75k.

 

[dave10]

If ANZAC round didn't exist you be lucky to get 75k.

I don’t agree but whatevs.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

I copped some heat a few pages back for suggesting that Melbourne is a much larger drawing club vs St Kilda, the Dogs and North. I couldn’t see any of those clubs drawing 68k, 67k and 67k vs Haw, Rich and Carl in the first nine rounds. The Dees could end up with half a dozen 65k plus crowds this year.

It's more due to the nuances of MCG tenant club vs MCG tenant club as it relates to being a more appealing type of match for neutrals and away supporters (as well as the MCC and AFL members) rather than the size of Melbourne.

So long as very few Melbourne fans travel to Marvel to watch games, which currently exists, that has to factor into the thinking truly of how "big" Melbourne are.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

Hawthorn officially out of Tasmania from next year. No idea what this will do for the future split of MCG and Marvel games (or a third venue).

Club statement

Hawthorn has made the following statement on its future in Tasmania.

www.hawthornfc.com.au

This is absolutely the right call for the Devils.

Edit: From the media release



So what sort of split will the Hawks get? 9/2 like Collingwood or Richmond or potentially 6/5 like Carlton. The most elegant solution for the AFL (but the worst outcome for the Hawks) is a 6/5 agreement. That way they could give the Hawks, Blues and Dons a 6/5 MCG / Marvel agreement and play more high drawing games at Marvel and the MCG. In effect it would give them three high drawing hybrid tenants at both grounds.

So long as Western Bulldogs, North and St Kilda are asked to play their home finals at the MCG, I think they're entitled to at least one home game a season in the H&A season there.

 

[Rouel_14]

What is the AFL supposed to do when 9 clubs request to play most of their home games at the MCG?

Just gotta let them, apparently.

No, it’s up to the clubs to do their own deal with the MCC.

If the MCC think they can accommodate more, why not?. If they don’t well they need to convince the MCC.

I’m not saying have 9 games a weekend at the MCG.

 

[Teen Wolf]

No, it’s up to the clubs to do their own deal with the MCC.

If the MCC think they can accommodate more, why not?. If they don’t well they need to convince the MCC.

I’m not saying have 9 games a weekend at the MCG.

Your suggestion would lead to the AFL having to schedule 4-6 games at the MCG nearly every weekend, which is obviously not practical.

What is the AFL supposed to do then? Simple question.

 

[Underarm]

Hawthorn officially out of Tasmania from next year. No idea what this will do for the future split of MCG and Marvel games (or a third venue).

Club statement

Hawthorn has made the following statement on its future in Tasmania.

www.hawthornfc.com.au

This is absolutely the right call for the Devils.

Edit: From the media release



So what sort of split will the Hawks get? 9/2 like Collingwood or Richmond or potentially 6/5 like Carlton. The most elegant solution for the AFL (but the worst outcome for the Hawks) is a 6/5 agreement. That way they could give the Hawks, Blues and Dons a 6/5 MCG / Marvel agreement and play more high drawing games at Marvel and the MCG. In effect it would give them three high drawing hybrid tenants at both grounds.

I can't imagine it being worse than 7-4. If anything I would expect more favourable terms considering they are forcing Hawthorn to play matches in Melbourne.

 

[Hawkk]

It's more due to the nuances of MCG tenant club vs MCG tenant club as it relates to being a more appealing type of match for neutrals and away supporters (as well as the MCC and AFL members) rather than the size of Melbourne.

So long as very few Melbourne fans travel to Marvel to watch games, which currently exists, that has to factor into the thinking truly of how "big" Melbourne are.

Well put.

No, it’s up to the clubs to do their own deal with the MCC.

If the MCC think they can accommodate more, why not?. If they don’t well they need to convince the MCC.

I’m not saying have 9 games a weekend at the MCG.

The only clubs who have a deal with the venues are the two anchor tenants — Collingwood and Essendon. The rest are powerless and reliant on the AFL to schedule. Given the AFL has a financial stake in Marvel, they will want to push more high drawing games to their asset not less.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

Well put.


The only clubs who have a deal with the venues are the two anchor tenants — Collingwood and Essendon. The rest are powerless and reliant on the AFL to schedule. Given the AFL has a financial stake in Marvel, they will want to push more high drawing games to their asset not less.

Anyone who sincerely suggests "well why can't just every club in Victoria speak directly to the MCC" is clearly living in a reality a mllion miles away from how the AFL and its power dynamic actually work

 

[threenewpadlocks]

I can't imagine it being worse than 7-4. If anything I would expect more favourable terms considering they are forcing Hawthorn to play matches in Melbourne.

They're not forcing Hawthorn to play matches in Melbourne, they're preventing Hawthorn from playing home games where another team also plays home games in this specific instance (btw, I do think that the AFL in that they should not be hypocrites should also not allow North to sell games to WA too, but anyway).

If Hawks wanted to play home games in Albury, they could. They'd prefer to play them at Docklands though.

 

[What else we can do]

Well put.


The only clubs who have a deal with the venues are the two anchor tenants — Collingwood and Essendon. The rest are powerless and reliant on the AFL to schedule. Given the AFL has a financial stake in Marvel, they will want to push more high drawing games to their asset not less

Really?? Melbourne and Richmond are anchor tenants (as you put it) also. Essendon are stuck at Marvel and obliged to play there doubt they the have power as you suggest with the AFL whenever their deal runs out.

 

[Hawkk]

Really?? Melbourne and Richmond are anchor tenants (as you put it) also. Essendon are stuck at Marvel and obliged to play there doubt they the have power as you suggest with the AFL whenever their deal runs out.

But they don’t have a contract with the MCC or the then MSL. Carlton did after they left Princes Park but that has expired.

Make no mistake length of tenancy is different to anchor tenancy (the two big clubs have access the stands, extra games, more corporate boxes and merchandise sales) that the others miss out on.

 

[Hawkk]

They're not forcing Hawthorn to play matches in Melbourne, they're preventing Hawthorn from playing home games where another team also plays home games in this specific instance (btw, I do think that the AFL in that they should not be hypocrites should also not allow North to sell games to WA too, but anyway).

If Hawks wanted to play home games in Albury, they could. They'd prefer to play them at Docklands though.

The issue is more about the sponsorships and full time staff rather than the games by themselves. The City of Launceston was prepared to fork out money for the games themselves (and they are now a sponsor of the club too).

 

[threenewpadlocks]

The issue is more about the sponsorships and full time staff rather than the games by themselves. The City of Launceston was prepared to fork out money for the games themselves (and they are now a sponsor of the club too).

Sure, but the AFL has the interests of actually running a competition and making healthy call clubs (such as Tassie having clean air) at some points. It doesn't exist just to maximise the revenue of the entire industry, even if people are willing to pay for that maximum revenue.

 

[What else we can do]

But they don’t have a contract with the MCC or the then MSL. Carlton did after they left Princes Park but that has expired.

Make no mistake length of tenancy is different to anchor tenancy (the two big clubs have access the stands, extra games, more corporate boxes and merchandise sales) that the others miss out on.

Fair call.. Yes I know Essendon have that with Marvel. But to suggest Melbourne and Richmond don't hold any power over the fixture is not right. They have even more power than Carlton.

 

[Hawkk]

Fair call.. Yes I know Essendon have that with Marvel. But to suggest Melbourne and Richmond don't hold any power over the fixture is not right. They have even more power than Carlton.

What power do they have though? I guess the Dees probably have some soft power through the MCC but they don’t have any power over the actual fixture. If they did we wouldn’t be having the two biggest MCC clubs (Melbourne and Essendon) playing in Gather Round every year.