Footy staples slapped with price hike at Adelaide Oval, MCG

AFL fans are afraid they will be forced to eat at home after a price hike of staples such as beer and chips at a major stadium.

The cost of footy staples like beer and meat pies at Adelaide Oval will be increased for the third consecutive year this AFL season, angering many cash-strapped fans.

The cost of a pint of full-strength beer will increase by more than 5 per cent to $9.90 this year, according to the new menu that was released to the media on Thursday.

A bucket of hot chips will also increase by 6.3 per cent, setting punters back $6.70, with the classic meat pie as well as hot and cold drinks increasing by between 20-30c.

Defending the price hike, Adelaide Oval chief executive Nick Addison said inflation had “hit every business” and most increases were below the inflation rate.

Adelaide Oval chief executive Nick Addison defended the price hike. Picture: Nine

“We would prefer not to have price increases (but) they are a reality of the world we are in,” Mr Addison said at a launch event for the new menu line-up on Thursday.

“We’ve been particularly strategic about minimising the price increases where we can. I don’t expect it will have a flow-on effect where people don’t attend the footy.”

Nonetheless, the latest price hike marks a grim reality for football fans in Adelaide who have seen food and drink staples at the oval consistently increase in price.

Comparing the new menu with 2020 prices, the Adelaide Advertiser found the price of a full-strength pint had gone up by $1.40, while hot chips went up by $1.30.

The worst-affected menu items were the oval’s drink selection. Soft drinks increased in price by 7.9 per cent since 2020, while a glass of house wine went up by $1.50.

Fans of the Adelaide Crows took to social media to vent their frustration at the move, with many stating it had become too expensive to purchase food at the footy.

“Either take your own, pay the price, or stay home and watch on TV with your supermarket snacks. You have to decide what is within your budget,” one fan said.

The menu change will include 22 new ‘gourmet’ items. Picture Nine

AFL Fans Association member Justin Leckie added: “(They) have inflationary pressures to run the stadium and suppliers for food and beverages like we all do.

“We remind fans and supporters you can bring your own food and beverages into the stadium (ex glass, alcohol etc) and can fill water bottles for free via fountains.”

Adelaide fans are not alone in feeling the effects of rising costs, with the cost of meat pies, hot chips, soft drinks and a chicken burger all going up at the MCG.

MCC chief executive Stuart Fox told Nine that management had “worked hard” to balance operational costs and inflation when finding an “accessible price point”.

As part of the menu change, 22 new gourmet items will be made available for punters, including salads, nachos, rolls and subs, as well as a range of fresh sandwiches.

Fleurieu Milk flavoured milk and Nippy’s juices will also be added to the menu, with three roaming food carts set to offer sushi to Adelaide fans for the first time.

Originally published as Footy staples slapped with price hike at Adelaide Oval, MCG