‘Passionate fans the number one driver’: AFL attendance soaring thanks to Victorian clubs
With passionate fans filling stadiums and membership numbers climbing, the league is on track for another historic year. See which upcoming games are being pegged to break records.
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Following a record breaking 2023 season in terms of attendance and membership numbers for the AFL and its clubs, 2024 is looking to eclipse those totals again this year on the back of some strong form from some of Victoria’s biggest teams.
With each state represented and Essendon, Carlton, Geelong, as well as reigning premiers Collingwood, all sitting in the top eight the crowds have been flowing through the gates throughout the opening portion of the season.
Round one this year broke the record for total attendance with 413,405 fans watching the nine games live from the stands, this was followed in round seven, ANZAC round, by the second highest total of all time with 408,433 fans according to stats site AFL Tables.
The average crowd for games this year is sitting at 38,464, the highest in the games history, and president of the AFL Fans Association Ron Issko said he wasn’t surprised to see the large number with excitement palpable within the football fan community.
“Passionate fans are the number one driver, always,” he said. “The fans love their clubs, so much that they will sacrifice to watch them, whether it be in the face of cost of living issues, whether it be going at times that they don’t find convenient, because of the passion for their clubs.
“We’ve now, still, got 13 clubs that are vying for the top eight, so we have actually got more fans with hope that their team can make finals than usual for this late in the season. There’s six premiership points separating third from 13. That’s the first time it’s happened later than round eight and we’re in round 16.
“So I guess you’ve got the combination of the fans’ passion for their clubs, the closest competition in years and some great games and close games, and that’s leading to fan’s wanting to go and that’s why we’re getting record attendances.”
The big Vic clubs being at the pointy end of the ladder is helping too according to Mr Issko.
“It doesn’t surprise me that we have high average attendance when you’ve got Carlton, Essendon and Collingwood - three of the top five big drawing clubs - up there in the top eight,” he said.
Records could continue to tumble with Collingwood star Scott Pendlebury’s 400th game against Carlton early next month likely to be one of the most packed home and away games outside of a grand final in recent memory.
Passionate Collingwood fan and club member, Chris Watson said he loves getting to the football “eight or nine” times a year, especially the big games when his team is flying.
“I love it, it’s exciting, there is always a massive crowd and the vibes and atmosphere is great,” he said. “I make sure to get to the big games, I went to every final last year and will do the same this year. Maybe I wouldn’t if I went for Richmond or something, but we are up and about.
“Pendles 400th is going to be big. He is arguably Collingwoods greatest player, on a Saturday night against Carlton at the MCG.”
Membership numbers are also strong with Carlton, Geelong, Greater Western Sydney and Port Adelaide already setting new membership records with a third of the season still to play.
So far for 2024 Carlton leads the way with 103,948 members, followed by Richmond on 95,771 and Geelong and Essendon with 84,227 and 81,551 respectively, Collingwood and West Coast are also likely to be up there but were unable to provide exact numbers at the time of writing.
This follows a 2023 season that saw all bar Richmond, West Coast and Hawthorn break their records for most members with a total of 1,264,952 people joining around the country.
As for the teams who have been bringing in the most fans it’s not surprising to see well performing Victorian powerhouses on top with Carlton averaging 61,755 for home games with Essendon 60,233 and Collingwood 59,611 not far behind.
Originally published as ‘Passionate fans the number one driver’: AFL attendance soaring thanks to Victorian clubs
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