How footy fans can score grand final tickets if GWS make it to last Saturday in September
The AFL only allocated 17,000 tickets to members of competing clubs at last year’s grand final, but a loophole has emerged that could score footy fans a golden ticket. See how you can get a seat at the MCG this year.
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Footy fans desperate to watch their club play in this year’s grand final can access a coveted ticket via a membership loophole – provided the match is against premiership favourite Greater Western Sydney.
Supporters of powerhouse clubs such as Carlton and Collingwood are virtually no chance of securing a grand final ticket in their club ballots if their membership only holds priority three access to the premiership decider.
But for $76 footy fans can purchase the cheapest Giants membership, which also carries priority three access to grand final tickets in the event they qualify.
That is highly likely to guarantee a ticket to the biggest game of the season.
The AFL only allocated 17,000 tickets to members of competing clubs last year, despite Collingwood boasting more than 100,000 signed-up fans.
Last year about 200 shrewd footy fans bought GWS memberships late in the season as the club surged into seventh place.
They almost cashed in on shock tickets to the big dance, but the Giants fell heartbreakingly short of making the club’s second grand final in five years with a one-point loss to Collingwood in what was an epic preliminary final.
The Giants are outright premiership favourites with TAB and as short as $4.50 with some bookmakers.
They were recently as short as $2.65 with TAB to make the grand final.
The cut-off to purchase a GWS membership with grand final ticket access is the end of the home-and-away season.
That means rival supporters who believe their club is on the march to the premiership decider can sign up to the Giants in August in the hope they secure a golden ticket through the rival ticket ballot.
Giants boss Dave Matthews welcomed rival supporters jumping onboard the expansion franchise.
“We embrace being everyone’s second team – we know people love our social media, our song, our colours and the way we play,” Matthews said on Tuesday.
“We absolutely encourage fans from all over Australia to grab a membership, use your shop voucher on an orange scarf and cheer on the Giants when your team isn’t playing.
“Get on board the orange tsunami and join our record-breaking membership tally in 2024.“
The Giants broke their membership record last week and have signed up more than 33,000 this season.
But members with priority three access to grand final tickets are still expected to get access to a seat at the MCG.
Those with priority two access appear certain to secure access.
The $76 membership ensures priority access to finals tickets for the first three weeks of September and then priority three access to grand final tickets.
It includes a $30 voucher for GWS merchandise, but does not allow entry to home-and-away matches
Victorian fans can also consider the Vic All-Rounder membership, which includes access to 11 matches at Marvel Stadium and the MCG including non-GWS matches.
That costs $314 and comes with priority two access to grand final tickets should the Giants qualify.
The Vic Giant membership package costs $168 and includes access to six GWS matches at Marvel Stadium and the MCG as well as priority three access to grand final tickets.
Originally published as How footy fans can score grand final tickets if GWS make it to last Saturday in September
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