Members only: The only way you’re likely to find a finals ticket in 2024

With some of the AFL’s biggest clubs in the frame to go deep into September, there is set to be an unprecedented rush for tickets. JAY CLARK examines the steps fans will likely have to go to.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 01: Fans show their support during the Collingwood Magpies AFL Grand Final celebrations fan day at AIA Centre on October 01, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Clubs have been warned the demand for finals tickets is likely to skyrocket this September with powerhouse clubs Collingwood, Carlton and Essendon in the mix for top-four spots.

Fans without a membership will risk missing out on finals tickets this year with access to general admission tickets likely to flatline if the Magpies, Bombers and Blues play each other.

Not since 1984 when Essendon won the premiership have the three big Victorian clubs all finished in the top-four, but the 40-year drought could be broken this season.

Essendon, which hasn’t won a final for 20 years, is in third spot and could stitch up a finals spot over the next month as they take on Geelong, Collingwood, Melbourne, Adelaide and St Kilda in their next five games.

But the Bombers’ emergence, enormous average home crowds and chance to create history is tipped to drive an unprecedented ticket squeeze in 2024 with likely sellouts at the MCG forecast.

Fans without a membership have been tipped to miss out entirely or have extremely limited access to seats for games if traditional Collingwood, Carlton and Essendon meet each other in September.

Competition was fierce for tickets last season. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

The last time two of those clubs won through to the premiership decider was in 1993, when Essendon defeated Cartlon in front of 96,000 fans.

It is why Collingwood has fought for increased allocation of Grand Final tickets for members with chief executive Craig Kelly last year saying the 17,000 allocated was “far from enough for our most loyal members”.

The club has lobbied for a minimum 20,000 Grand Final tickets per competing club.

Sellouts for finals matches are also on the cards at the SCG and Perth Stadium for games against one of the big four this year with Sydney Swans on top of the ladder.

AFL attendances have swelled this season with Essendon drawing an average 53, 840 fans per game across 14 matches this year.

They include blockbusters on Anzac Day against Collingwood (93,644) and King’s Birthday eve against Richmond (79,359) at the MCG.

But even the club’s clashes at Marvel Stadium have drawn high crowds led by the Round 6 game against Western Bulldogs with 50,144 attending.

Collingwood’s three finals matches against Melbourne (92, 636), GWS Giants (97,665) and Brisbane Lions (100,024) last year each drew massive crowds.

Carlton is expected to draw similar attendances for its finals games as the club strives to win its first flag since 1995 after losing to the Lions in the preliminary final at the Gabba.

Originally published as Members only: The only way you’re likely to find a finals ticket in 2024