Essendon has increased ticket prices for Anzac Day home game against Collingwood

ESSENDON has increased prices for seats to its Anzac Day clash against Collingwood by 50 per cent under the AFL’s dynamic ticketing system.

ESSENDON has rocketed up the cost for a seat at this year’s Anzac Day clash against Collingwood by 50 per cent — to $60.

While the AFL has frozen general admission tickets at $25 for all games at the MCG and Etihad Stadium for a fourth straight season, reserved seat prices — determined by clubs — have gone up for some fixtures.

Seats on Level 4 for the Round 5 Anzac Day blockbuster that were priced at $40 last year now cost $60.

A prime ticket on the wing on Level 2 will cost $75, up from $70.

The match, which was attended by 85,082 fans in 2016, is an Essendon home game this year, with the Bombers setting prices for reserved seating under the AFL’s graduated, dynamic ticketing system.

Essendon responded to questions from the Herald Sun about the price rises through a statement advising club membership was “still the best value for money” for fans.

Brendon Goddard and Scott Pendlebury with the Anzac trophy ahead of last year’s clash. Picture: Michael Klein.

“We would like to remind members attending Anzac Day that you must have a reserved seat ticket as there will be no general admission available,” Essendon’s chief marketing officer Justin Rodski said.

“The cheapest option to upgrade on Anzac Day for Essendon members is a $7 seat on Level 4 (Q deck) of the Southern Stand but these are subject to availability with approximately 2500 seats available.”

AFL Fans Association president Gerry Eeman applauded the AFL’s move to keep general admission prices at 2016 levels but said he was disappointed by the Anzac Day price rise.

“It is great that general admission prices have remained the same,” Eeman said.

“In terms of Anzac Day that is a really steep hike so that is disappointing. That is a substantial hike.”

The AFL quietly released reserved seat prices for all home-and-away games on its website yesterday.

Clubs took control of ticket prices from the AFL ahead of the 2015 season and “dynamic” ticketing, introduced last year, also allows them to fluctuate prices by $1-3 for games up to four times a year based on demand.

Essendon did not use dynamic ticketing last season but have advised “some games will be subject to dynamic pricing in 2017, but only if there is sufficient demand”.

Essendon has bumped up the prices for fans to get into the game. Picture: George Salpigtidis

The AFL’s first Good Friday match between North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on April 14 also will not be cheap to attend, with the Kangaroos setting reserved seating prices ranging from $45-$75.

Premium Level 2 seats for all North Melbourne matches at Etihad Stadium this year cost $75, up from $65 last year.

Most other Melbourne clubs have not substantially changed prices on last year, with some big games even set to be cheaper to attend.

Tickets for the traditional season opener between Carlton and Richmond on March 23 range from $30-65, after costing $40-70 last year.

Western Bulldogs fans are also a winner, with no price rises on the reigning premier’s cheapest seats for home matches at Etihad Stadium and top tickets rising by just $2.

The AFL has also confirmed the return of “Sunday Funday”, with children under 15 receiving free entry to the MCG and Etihad Stadium for all Sunday matches.

Total home and away attendances declined slightly across the competition last year, coming in at 6,311,656 people.

Average home-and-away crowds at the MCG were down more than 6 per cent last year to 45,389 but Etihad Stadium experienced a slight rise to 30,215.