Footy fans push AFL membership numbers to all-time record

Footy fever has hit new heights with the AFL recording record membership — and as finals approach, the numbers keep soaring. See where your club sits on the membership ladder.

Billy Cooke, Madison Cloke, Georgia Donnelly, Tim, and Will Holding. Picture: Tony Gough

Footy fans have taken their passion to new levels with an all-time AFL club membership record set this season.

The AFL will on Thursday announce more people have become members of their favourite club than ever before, with 1,132,295 proud and paid-up supporters Australia-wide.

Eight clubs have already set new membership marks, helping surpass the previous national membership mark by 18,854.

And an even bigger membership haul looms, with numbers counted until August 31 and fans expected to make a late rush to sign up with their club to ensure first crack at finals tickets.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the connection footy fans had with their clubs was “unmatched in global sport”.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the connection footy fans had with their clubs was ‘unmatched in global sport’. Picture: David Crosling

“Over 1.1 million members, over 4.66 million fans attending the matches around the country so far this year,’’ he said.

“Footy’s bounce back in 2022 has been remarkable and that is testament to the all supporters and members barracking for their clubs.’’

After being forced to watch their team on TV during two winters of Covid-19 lockdowns, Victorian supporters have driven the surge in membership sales.

At least six Victorian teams will this year declare record membership tallies — resurgent Carlton, premiers Melbourne, Collingwood, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne — as well as GWS and Brisbane.

The two best performers in terms of membership growth were Melbourne — up 26.8 per cent from 53,188 last year to more than 65,000 — and Western Bulldogs, up 11.4percent from 46,541 to more than 50,000.

AFL club membership has increased 29 times in the past 31 years, with the exceptions 2000 when the season was moved forward a month for the Sydney Olympics and Covid-19 impacted 2020.

“I’d like to thank all our fans across the country and to every club member whose passion and support makes footy the greatest game in the world,’’ Mr McLachlan said.

Richmond and West Coast boast the biggest membership bases in Australia, with more than 100,000 fans on their books.

Traditional powers Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton and Hawthorn remain perennial member magnates and Melbourne fans are on the march.

Richmond fan Madison Cloke said: “It’s been great to be able to get back to the footy this year after not being able to attend games in Victoria the past couple of years.

“I’ve been a Richmond member for the last 15 years and I can’t wait to see the Tiges come strong home and hopefully go far into the finals this year.’’

At least six Victorian teams will this year declare record membership tallies. Picture: Michael Klein

In a win for fans of female footy, existing AFLW club memberships will roll over for free ahead of the competition’s seventh season.

AFLW club memberships reached record levels last season, with 48,712 members – an 89 per cent increase on the year before.

AFL commercial and customer boss Kylie Rogers said the 18 clubs do “a fantastic job of engaging, empowering and growing their membership bases.”

“As always members get first access to finals tickets, with further details to be released in the coming weeks,’’ she said.

Originally published as Footy fans push AFL membership numbers to all-time record