How footy fans will be able to get tickets to live games
As restrictions begin to ease, the AFL is almost certain to adopt a radical plan on how to hand out tickets to live games — and it could see quite a lot of footy fans missing out. PLUS the new rules fans will face.
AFL
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A weekly Grand Final-style ticket ballot for paid-up members is almost certain to be introduced when crowds return to AFL football in Victoria, potentially as early as next month.
As the National Cabinet prepares to ease COVID-19 restrictions from July — which could allow for crowds of 10,000 or more to attend matches — the AFL and its clubs are looking at how they can manage a high demand for tickets when fans are given the green light to attend matches at the MCG, Marvel Stadium and GMHBA Stadium.
A meeting between the clubs and AFL officials on Friday discussed a range of options, but the prospect of a weekly “golden ticket” ballot for members was believed to be the most favoured.
Just over 2000 fans attended the Port Adelaide-Adelaide showdown on Saturday, while 350 members and corporate partners have been allowed into the Sydney-Essendon and Greater Western-North Melbourne clashes in Sydney.
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The Andrews Government is in close talks with the AFL on ways to get fans back into matches in Victoria, with the desire to wait until there can be a significant number of people safely allowed through to turnstiles.
A ballot system, similar to that used by the competing teams in the Grand Final each year, is considered the fairest option to ensure members are provided with the opportunity to see their team play live during the 2020 season.
Clubs will also look to rotate the names of members granted access in an effort to have as many different members at games as possible.
The general public would only get access to games if all allocated members’ tickets are not sold, as is the case for the Grand Final each year.
The AFL and the clubs are desperate to reward members who stayed loyal and kept their money in the game during the coronavirus shutdown. An AFL spokesman stressed no time frame on a fans’ return had been locked in.
“We will continue to work with and be led by the state governments on a return to crowds at matches,” the AFL spokesman said.
One source suggested the plan to reward “fully paid-up members” had strong support, given the financial commitment they had made during the game’s coronavirus financial crisis. The AFL and the clubs are keen to take “a collegiate” approach, given a weekly ballot system would require significant resources on an already reduced workforce.
Clubs who have played in recent AFL Grand Finals — including Richmond and Collingwood — would also be called upon for guidance given their familiarity with the ballot system. The clubs will keep the discussion channels open in an effort to provide the best outcome in what is an ever changing landscape.
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Originally published as How footy fans will be able to get tickets to live games