AFL tickets: League update on when fans will be able to sit together at matches
Sitting with friends and family at games has long been one of footy’s simplest joys — and it’s about to return.
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The AFL is confident fans will be able to sit in their reserved seats with family and friends in coming weeks as the league awaits a return to full capacity for its venues.
The league continues to work on securing 85 per cent capacity for Marvel Stadium and GMHBA Stadium after the MCG last week hosted the biggest world sport crowd since the COVID pandemic.
The single game that could meet that capacity in coming months is the traditional Essendon-Richmond Dreamtime at the ‘G game in Round 12.
But critically 85 per cent capacity for the MCG allows the league to return fans to the reserved seats many have sat in for many years.
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The league continues to work with its ticketing agencies Ticketek and Ticketmaster to reconfigure seating plans, hopeful that breakthrough might only be weeks away.
The MCG must have no more than 85 per cent capacity but single bays can have every seat full, with many of the reserved seat members sitting in two or three specific bays.
It will allow the league to return those members to their seats while not eclipsing social distancing guidelines across venues.
The league this week allowed fans to buy a total of 10 tickets to games, up from six, to help them sit with friends and family rather than be separated.
MCG ticket provider Ticketek was able to successfully hand over the data required about tickets to increase the capacity to 85 per cent.
But Marvel Stadium ticket provider Ticketmaster wasn’t able to satisfy the state government enough to raise capacity to 85 per cent.
Those ticketing trials will continue so there will be more opportunities to raise the capacity and allow Marvel fans back into their reserved seats.
AFL executive Kylie Rogers said this week the league’s biggest priority was returning fans to their reserved seats.
“We empathise that fans have had to change the way they ordinarily purchase tickets and attend matches as Covid continues to be a challenge in the community,” Ms Rogers said.
“Our focus continues on delivering the safest matchdays possible and getting Club and AFL reserved seat members back in their reserved seats in the coming weeks.”
AFL LOCKS IN NEXT FIXTURES ON 2021 CALENDAR
Marc McGowan
Red-hot Melbourne has scored consecutive Friday night blockbusters in rounds 11 and 12 as reward for its scorching start to the year.
The AFL revealed its latest block of matches in the rolling fixture on Thursday, with the unbeaten Demons and Western Bulldogs to kick off Round 11 under Marvel Stadium’s lights on May 28.
Melbourne will be back in action seven days later against another flag fancy, Brisbane, in what will be the inaugural Friday night AFL game at Alice Springs’ Traeger Park.
Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert said the Northern Territory held a “special place in the hearts of the Melbourne players, staff and board”.
“We have built a strong relationship over the past decade and continue to focus on giving back to the community and ensuring our partnership is meaningful and impactful,” Pert said.
“Sir Doug Nicholls Round is always such a great celebration and to be able to play that round in Alice Springs is extra special.
“TIO Traeger Park has become a home away from home for us and it’s great to be able to connect with the local community and bring the AFL competition to their backyard.
“We would like to extend our thanks to the Northern Territory government for their ongoing support and for welcoming us to their state every year.”
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE ROUND 11, 12 FIXTURES
Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round will be held across that fortnight in an extended format to appropriately celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Gold Coast and Hawthorn will lock horns at Darwin’s TIO Stadium on the Saturday night of Round 11, with the annual Dreamtime at the ‘G contest returning to the MCG in the same timeslot a week later.
Essendon and Richmond played the Dreamtime game in the Top End for the first time last year as a special occasion during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s theme is ‘Our Legacy. This is us’ and Syd Jackson is set to be recognised again, because he was unable to attend last year’s Dreamtime match because of travel restrictions.
Round 12 signals the start of the rolling bye, with six games scheduled and Geelong, Gold Coast, Greater Western Sydney, Hawthorn, North Melbourne and Port Adelaide having the week off.
“Rounds 11 and 12 are not only a major celebration on the AFL calendar but the match-ups are looming as blockbusters across both weekends,” AFL head of broadcasting and scheduling Marcus King said.
“It is great to be able to take games back to the Northern Territoty and on behalf of the AFL I would like to thank the Northen Terrirtory Government and our broadcast partner the Seven Network for their partnership in allowing us to showcase football in the Territory once again.”
Friday, May 28
Western Bulldogs v Melbourne, Marvel Stadium, 7.50pm AEST
Saturday, May 29
Collingwood v Geelong, MCG, 1.45pm AEST
Brisbane v Greater Western Sydney, Gabba, 2.10pm AEST
St Kilda v North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium, 4.35pm AEST
Gold Coast v Hawthorn, TIO Stadium, 7.10pm ACST
West Coast v Essendon, Optus Stadium, 5.40pm AWST
Sunday, May 30
Richmond v Adelaide, MCG, 1.10pm AEST
Sydney v Carlton, SCG, 3.20pm AEST
Port Adelaide v Fremantle, Adelaide Oval, 4.10pm ACST
ROUND 12
Friday, June 4
Melbourne v Brisbane, TIO Traeger Park, 7.20pm ACST
Saturday, June 5
St Kilda v Sydney, Marvel Stadium, 1.45pm AEST
Adelaide v Collingwood, Adelaide Oval, 4.05pm ACST
Essendon v Richmond, MCG, 7.25pm AEST
Sunday, June 6
Carlton v West Coast, MCG, 3.20pm AEST
Fremantle v Western Bulldogs, Optus Stadium, 4.40pm AWST
Byes: Geelong, Gold Coast, Greater Western Sydney, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide
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Originally published as AFL tickets: League update on when fans will be able to sit together at matches
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