AFL finals 2023 tickets: Collingwood, Melbourne game sold out in seven hours

Diehard footy fans are being warned to get in early as ticket sales for the AFL finals kick off, with the first qualifying final selling out in less than seven hours.

It was a day of nerves, sweat and tears for Victorians as hundreds of supporters gathered at ticket booths and computers to secure a seat to several upcoming sporting events.

Tickets for Thursday week’s Collingwood v Melbourne qualifying final sold out in less than seven hours since going live, while tickets for next year’s Formula One Grand Prix were also snapped up.

The AFL said in a statement on social media if further tickets become available of the first of four qualifying final matches, “they will be released via Ticketek on Wednesday, September 6 at 11am (AEST)”.

Some eager supporters were up as early as 4am waiting outside ticketing agencies, while others had multiple devices switched on in a bid to score seats.

Ticketek kicked off its sale for the blockbuster Pies and Demons match at 9am, with Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) members the first with access to secure seats.

pic.twitter.com/4DYj0DyAbT

— Ticketek Australia (@Ticketek_AU) August 28, 2023

Club members then poured into the site from 10am, followed by AFL members and fans seeking general admission seats, who were allowed to purchase tickets from 12pm and 3pm respectively.

By 9.50am reserved seats and visitor tickets were sold out for the MCC Reserve. Then almost three hours later, fans snapped up all AFL Reserve tickets for the match.

Finally, all seats were sold out by 3.30pm – half an hour after general tickets went on sale.

“Demand for Tuesday’s on-sale for the first qualifying final between Collingwood and Melbourne, as part of the 2023 Toyota AFL Finals Series was exceptionally strong with tickets selling rapidly throughout the on-sale,” a Ticketek spokesperson said.

“We expect a similar demand for the upcoming on-sales for upcoming AFL finals.”

Footy fans trying to get tickets to next Thursday's Collingwood v Melbourne match were greeted by Ticketek's waiting room.

While most of the day went off without a hitch, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for a minority of fans who had their frustrations with the ticketing websites.

One Collingwood Legends member was devastated they missed out on tickets, labelling the release method “farcical”.

Another footy fan added the Ticketek waiting room gave them “flashbacks” to June where the battle was on to score Taylor Swift tickets.

Meanwhile the MCC’s website crashed for at least an hour before 10am.

Ticket sales for next year’s Grand Prix also launched midday Tuesday and were in hot demand, before selling out at just before 4pm.

The annual Ticketek finals fail yet again.

Our group of Legends still haven't been able to get tickets.

It's farcical.@MCG just puts the blame on @Ticketek_AU & meanwhile us members get shafted.

How all the clubs haven't forced the AFL/MCC to find a solution is unfathomable.

— ▪️▫️DAVID▪️▫️ (@turtlemagpies) August 29, 2023

Meanwhile Carlton’s first finals berth since 2013 will see thousands of diehard Blues fans head to Ticketek from 9am on Wednesday, hoping to watch skipper Patrick Cripps play in his first ever final.

St Kilda fans eager to see the Sainters add their first bit of silverware since 1966 will be heading to Ticketek sites on Wednesday also.

The general public – many who have never seen a Saint lift a premiership cup in their lifetime – can purchase tickets from 3pm.

Long-suffering St Kilda fan Adrian Scialpi said he would be joining ticket queues as soon as he could.

“I was born four months after St Kilda won their only flag so I’m yet to see one and I haven’t been to a Saints final since 2010,” he said.

Melbourne fans Ryan Sinclair and Amal Madhusoodanan will be among the fans chasing AFL finals tickets. Picture: Alex Coppel

“It’s been a pretty long wait and it would be special to see us do well.

“It shouldn’t be too difficult getting a ticket to the ‘G and I can’t wait to be there to cheer the boys on.”

AFL Fans Association president Ron Issko said fans would need to be patient and join online queues early.

“It’s an exciting time, you can smell the finals in the air and there’s going to be a scramble for tickets,” he said.

“What I can say to fans is get on to Ticketek for MCG matches just before the allocated time and if you are patient, you’ll probably get your tickets.

“The only game you might struggle with is the Collingwood v Melbourne clash, we’re expecting a huge crowd.

Collingwood fans are tipped to join the rush for final tickets after the Pies secured their spot in the top eight. Picture: Michael Klein

“You would think the Collingwood and Melbourne game would get 90,000 fans and you’d expect the Gabba to be a sellout.

“Carlton, who haven’t been in the finals for a decade, will turn up in huge numbers so we could expect over 70,000 at the MCG.

“Be patient and enjoy the finals.”

Tickets for the Brisbane v Port Adelaide clash at the Gabba also went on sale from 10am on Tuesday.

The AFL in recent weeks announced another price freeze for all entry level finals tickets in weeks one to three for the eighth year running.

Tickets for next weekend’s AFL matches start from $35.