AFL fans prefer home-cooked meals to stadium food as Christian Petracca urges fans to come to games

Aussie footy fans struggling with cost of living pressures say it’s not just ticket prices keeping them away from games — but one AFL star has offered up a solution. Vote and have your say.

The cost and taste of food at AFL footy matches has turned some people off from attending in person, while almost 40 per cent admit to bringing their own food to games.

AFL Fans Association President Ron Issko said cost of living pressures have generally impacted fans, and their experience can always be improved.

“What fans tell us is after ticket prices, food seems to be on the expensive side,” Mr Issko said.

“The say ‘we could do with more [food] options’, but overall it is expensive and we’d like to keep prices as frozen as possible, and we do appreciate the AFL and stadiums are trying to cap the prices and there could be more of course.”

One of the AFL’s biggest stars has said he prefers home-cooked meals over stadium snacks and called on all fans to still come to the games.

Melbourne Demons player Christian Petracca said he is one of 4.5 million AFL fans who prefer home-cooked treats over stadium food.

“Growing up, I was always hungry so my mum would pack me three or four ham and salad rolls to eat at the game and snacks as well for my brothers and I,” Petracca said.

“We were allowed one treat and it was always either hot chips or a meat pie or a little chocolate bar.

“I guess whatever brings fans through the gate is all we care about. Eat whatever you want, just come and watch the game.”

Melbourne Demons’ Christian Petracca just wants fans to come to the games. Photo: Michael Klein.

His comments come as a survey conducted by Roy Morgan and Heinz Tomato Ketchup found 39 per cent bring their own food and condiments and two in five agree there are not enough sauce options.

About 59 per cent agree the half time meal is in the need of a “shake up”, 24 per cent stay home to cook their own food because it tastes better and 28 per cent expect more creative food at games.

The MCG, SCG, Marvel Stadium, Gabba, Adelaide Oval and Optus Stadium in WA have defended their menus as they still allow fans to bring their own food.

All the stadiums have a similar price range when it comes to the classics, with hot dogs, pies and hot chips priced from $4.50 up to $7.80.

This year’s AFL Grand Final is only a few weeks away. Picture: Mark Stewart

Melbourne Cricket Club General Manager of Commercial Operations and Partnerships, Tanya Gallina, said the MCG has hot chips, burgers, pies, sausage rolls and hot dogs with range of outlets that sell vegetarian, vegan and gluten-friendly products.

Saints players after their match with Carlton at Marvel Stadium on August 6, 2023 in Melbourne. Picture: Getty

Marvel Stadium has the classic fan favourites and a range of healthy options available all around the stadium including free fruit for kids on Sunday’s.

“In 2023, Marvel Stadium froze the price of footy favourites. Pies at $4.50 which is cheaper than purchasing at a service station. Hot chips are also $4.50,” a spokesperson said.

“We review our offerings each season, ensuring we are delivering a range of offerings and most importantly what fans want – the data tells us that pies and hot chips are far and away the biggest sellers.”

The SCG revamped its food and beverage by joining forces with Merivale to offer dumplings, sushi and sashimi, pizza, paninis, tacos, falafel wraps and bowls, fried chicken, gelato and stadium classics.

Sydney's Joel Amartey and Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson during the AFL Round 4 match between the Sydney Swans and Port Adelaide Power at the SCG. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The Gabba works with catering providers to ensure a variety of game day food including hot chips, meat pie and a chicken burger, as well as specialty items like fetta and spinach Greek flat bread and soft shell tacos.

“Catering options are selected based on a number of factors including purchasing data, affordability and capacity to be prepared quickly, at high volume to meet the demand of thousands of spectators during breaks,” a spokesperson said.

A view of when the Adelaide Crows and Gold Coast Suns clashed at Adelaide Oval, on August 05, 2023. Picture: Getty

At Adelaide Oval, fans got a new kiosk menu this year with gourmet burgers, fresh salads, rolls and house-made pizzas.

“This is in addition to the usual fan favourites such as pies and hot chips which are amongst the cheapest available at stadiums across the country,” a spoksperson said.

“While our patrons enjoy a range of sauce options, many South Australians have one priority when it comes to their hot chips and that’s chicken salt.”

Optus Stadium where the Fremantle Dockers and Brisbane Lions played August 6, 2023, in Perth. Picture: Getty

Optus Stadium CEO Mike McKenna said they carry stadium favourites like pies and chips and premium burgers, curries, pizzas and hot dogs.

“There are also vegan, vegetarian and gluten free menu items available. Prices are reviewed at the beginning of each AFL and cricket season,” he said.

“Creativity has always been an important part of the decision making around the Optus Stadium food offering, with the menu evolving over the more than five years we have been open.”

With 64 per cent of those surveyed saying halftime food should hero ketchup, Heinz is launching The Heinz Footy Ketch-Cup – a nationwide cooking competition to find the best home cooks to share their halftime recipes.

Petracca will short-list those who apply and the winner will score tickets to the 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final.

“I’m looking for creativity, but also classics as well. Just the simple pies, sausage rolls …,” he said.

“I wish I could eat them all though. That’s the annoying thing. I’m gonna have to judge them by their looks, so hopefully they have nice presentation.”

Fans keen to enter can apply here https://www.heinz.com.au/competition