Essendon membership price rise: Supporters unhappy as Dons look to secure extra MCG home game

Essendon fans are not happy with an increase in price of over $100 on select memberships. The Bombers are defending the decision despite the consequence of losing members.

Essendon has defended significant price rises on its premium memberships as it confirmed it was attempting to secure an extra MCG home fixture next year.

The Dons fanbase has reacted with some anger to the price rises, which has seen many of the bronze, silver and gold tier memberships with reserved seat access increasing over $100.

The Bombers froze all membership prices in 2021 and then again in 2023, which has meant the club has had successive price rises in the past two seasons to come into line with rivals. But with the Dons again flaming out of finals contention it will mean some fans will choose not to take up memberships.

Bombers fans aren’t happy. Picture: Getty Images

The Bombers now have a waiting list for reserved seats for 2025 and have argued they need to keep revenue in line with rivals so they can continue to fund their football program.

Essendon is now in line with big Victorian rivals Carlton and Collingwood on reserved ticket prices, but the release of those prices to fans on Wednesday was a rude shock.

The release was 28 days before the club’s automatic renewals for 2025 membership on October 15.

The club would not reveal the 2025 price for all 30-plus membership categories, but has sent personalised emails to all members detailing the price rises.

Bombers chief executive Craig Vozzo said the season drew the highest attendance for Essendon since record levels in 2007.

The Bombers fell away yet again late in 2024. Picture: Getty Images

But he defended the premium price rises as the cost of doing business in the AFL.

“Following our membership price freezes ahead of both the 2021 and 2023 AFL seasons, the club is in the final year of our two-year price revision, which was designed to ensure we can both continue to invest in our football programs at a comparable level to other high performing AFL clubs, as well as seek to allow us to provide our members with the best entertainment product and member experience we can,” he said.

“For the 2025 season, while our premium membership categories will increase at approximately the same rate as in 2024 (with) a price freeze on our junior entry-level membership categories.”

Vozzo said the club was keen to play another game at the MCG – there is a currently a 7-4 split favouring Marvel Stadium – given the continued attendance growth.

“In addition to the member benefits you have enjoyed this year, we are committed to innovating our entertainment product for you. We are also working hard with the AFL and MCG to seek to schedule one extra home game at the MCG for the 2025 season and we will know more in coming weeks.”

Originally published as Essendon membership price rise: Supporters unhappy as Dons look to secure extra MCG home game