Eye-watering cost for Lions fans to get to AFL Grand Final

Brisbane Lions fans who have been lucky enough to score tickets to the AFL Grand Final on Saturday, but haven’t yet sorted travel, will fork out thousands just to fly to and from Melbourne.

Josh Dunkley of the Lions celebrates with fans after the win over Geelong. Picture: Dylan Burns

For the lucky Brisbane Lions fans who have secured a seat at Saturday’s grand final blockbuster, the eye-watering cost of not only getting to Melbourne but also coming home has become close to unaffordable – with the round trip coming to a total of more than $3000 in most cases.

As club members anxiously await to find out if they’ve been drawn from the ballot, many who have already scored tickets have discovered just how expensive the trip will be.

Despite airlines scrambling to add more flights to help Brisbane fans cheer at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, as of Monday morning they would need to pay between $500 and $700 for a direct flight late this week, with the cheapest sitting at approximately $400.

Fans who have scored last minute tickets to the AFL grand final on Saturday will need to spend a jaw-dropping amount for the trip. Photo by David Gray

Virgin Australia added eight Brisbane to Melbourne flights and seven Sydney to Melbourne flights this week, while Qantas added five flights from Brisbane on top the 10 flights already added last Friday.

However, it isn’t getting there that is causing the most grief for attendees, it’s the shocking cost of not just accommodation but also the flights home as the majority of flights sit at $1000 or more just for the one way.

On the Sunday after the grand final – which is the earliest day fans can leave – all direct Qantas and Jetstar flights are sold out, with the limited connecting flights costing between $800 and $1400.

Virgin may have more availability, but Lions fans will need to fork out at least $1200 for any flight from Melbourne.

The Brisbane Lions will take on the Sydney Swans on Saturday for a blockbuster AFL Grand Final. Picture: Darrian Traynor

The solution for many might just be pulling a ‘sickie’ on Monday with flights for Qantas dropping to $400 to $600 and Jetstar $400 to $750.

Several fans have taken to social media to voice their complaints, accusing airlines and accommodation services of price gouging.

“My daughter paid $1,400 for her return flights – apparently a flight home on the Sunday now is around $3000 – what a joke,” one fan said in a Lions Facebook group.

“Was $1250 return for two of us a couple of days ago and now it’s that price each straight after the win,” another commented.

“You play less to go overseas”.

“We paid just over $700 total for all 3 of us back in April – and they say they aren’t gouging.” another fan posted.

Some have been quick to point out that flights to regions such as the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast are a bargain compared to the price tag coming into Brisbane.

Conor McKenna and Jarrod Berry celebrate the Lions AFL Preliminary Final win. Picture: Dylan Burns

A flight to Maroochydore could cost under $1000 if you’re quick enough to book, with the Gold Coast displaying flights as cheap as $500 from Melbourne on Sunday.

Following strong demand and surging prices on the limited flights remaining, Qantas have added a further two services on Monday between Melbourne and Sydney.

The flights will be on its larger A330 aircraft to help get more Queenslanders back to Brisbane following the Grand Final.

One will depart at 8pm on Saturday September 28 following the game, the other at 9:25am on Sunday September 29.

Fares start from $419.

Virgin Australia said they would continue to assess demand and plan to schedule additional flights where possible.

“Virgin Australia has seen huge demand in response to footy finals and is committed to helping fans get to and from the upcoming Grand Final, as the official airline partner of the AFL,” a Virgin Australia Group spokesman said.

“Over the past two weeks, we have added more than 5,000 additional seats for fans travelling to and from the semi-finals, preliminary matches and ahead of the Grand Final this weekend.

“Fares booked very close to departure dates and times tend to be higher than the average fare, in line with demand and the reduced number of available seats.”

While the plane tickets are emptying fans’ wallets, the accommodation in Melbourne is not much better, and that’s if you can score a room.

Booking.com has listed 86 per cent of accommodation is unavailable between Friday and Sunday this weekend, with most hotels in the CBD at least $700 for Friday and Saturday night – anything cheaper you’ll be checking into the backpackers.

The limited AirBnB’s currently available range from $300 to $800 for two days in the CBD.

For many this will mean tossing up staying in Melbourne longer in order to save money on flights, with even the more expensive accommodation at $800 or $900 working out cheaper to stay an extra night rather than flying back on the Sunday.

Even if Lions fans chose to stay in Melbourne from Wednesday to Monday, the total cost could end up at approximately $2000 for flights and accommodation compared to $2500 to $3000 at best price if staying for just the Friday and Saturday.

Other ways to save would be to stay outside of the CBD, including outer suburbs such as Box Hill and Vermont selling rooms for just $250 to $300 for the Friday and Saturday nights.

Tickets for the grand final are currently getting allocated via the ballot for Swans and Lions club members, with standing room and restricted view tickets the cheapest options coming in at $155 for adults.

However, level one and two tickets are costing close to $500.

When adding up the cost, for just two nights Lions fans are set to be spending between $3000 and $4000 for tickets, flights and accommodation alone, and if the Lions get up on the Swans, the ensuing celebrations will likely set the total cost skyrocketing.