AFLW grand final to remain at Ikon Park as MCG, Marvel Stadium booked out for events

Tickets for Sunday’s AFLW grand final sold out in less than three hours, prompting calls for a change of venue — but the MCG and Marvel are booked out — so it’s full steam ahead at Ikon Park.

Tickets for Sunday’s AFLW grand final sold out in less than three hours, but the match won’t be moved from Ikon Park. Picture: Michael Willson / AFL Photos

This weekend’s AFLW Grand Final won’t be moved to a bigger stadium despite tickets selling out in less than three hours on Monday.

Fans were quick to jump on the approximately 13,000 tickets released, selling out Sunday’s Ikon Park decider between North Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions in a flash.

Ikon Park’s capacity has been reduced from over 20,000 to about 13,000 after recent renovations, meaning Sunday’s decider — the first in the state since 2018 — will be played in front of a full house.

But the hugely successful season will likely come to a climax in front of the second-lowest grand final crowd in the league’s short history.

Over 50,000 fans were there for the 2019 decider in Adelaide. Picture: Daniel Kalisz

A staggering 53,034 fans packed the Adelaide Oval for the 2019 crescendo, and in 2021, almost 30,000 flocked to the same ground in a massive show of support.

The AFL-owned Marvel Stadium is unavailable as singer The Weeknd was due to perform there this weekend, and the World Supercross Championship was held there this month, covering the surface with truckloads of dirt.

Across town, the MCG has already hosted a Sheffield Shield match too, with the drop-in pitches sitting dormant after Victoria defeated Queensland in front of a smattering of fans two weeks ago.

The MCG has already hosted a Shield game with the turf wicket, watched by a handful of fans. Picture: Graham Denholm

Women’s football pioneer and former Western Bulldogs vice president Sue Alberti said the clubs and league should have planned to have either stadium available for this weekend.

“The planning should have been there, so they could have had the option if they wanted it,” she said.

“It’ll still be a spectacle but I think the girls deserve better, much better.

“Of course we should (have planned for this), absolutely, hindsight makes everyone smart though.

“The games are selling out within hours so it tells you how the popularity of the game is changing.

“It’s quite sad.”

Sue Alberti said one of the stadiums should have been available. Picture: David Caird

The AFL said the arrangement was made with clubs prior to the season starting and that Marvel Stadium’s turf wasn’t ready.

“The AFLW Grand Final hosting venues were agreed to with our clubs prior to the start of the season,” spokesman Jay Allen said.

“Ikon Park on Sunday will deliver a great atmosphere in front of hopefully 13,000 fans.

“Marvel Stadium is not available this weekend due to hosting other major international events in recent weeks and the turf is presently not suitable for any games.

“On Friday, a small number of tickets will be released for Sunday’s GF and hopefully they are all snapped up by fans.”

North Melbourne will host the Lions on Sunday to cap off an extraordinary AFLW season. Picture: Michael Willson / AFL Photos

But only 13,000 fans will be there to watch. Picture: Michael Willson / AFL Photos

But Federal Opposition sport spokeswoman, Senator Anne Ruston, called on the AFL and Victorian government to immediately look for a solution to ensure the AFLW Grand Final was played at a stadium with a capacity that it deserves.

“This weekend was another exciting opportunity for Australians to get behind our incredible athletes as the AFLW Grand Final takes place,” Senator Ruston said.

“As shown by the Matildas incredible performance – and sold-out stadiums – Australians want to watch our female athletes compete at the highest level.

“That is why it is disappointing that a lack of planning will see spectators limited from being able to support our AFLW teams in person this weekend.”